The Influences of the State on the Egyptian Decorative Arts in Tel el-Amarna

Abstract

Ancient Egyptian art, which remained relatively stable over a period spanning 3,500 years, aimed to not only preserve political and religious order but to also modify life (Brewer & Teeter 2007:189). Yet, during the Eighteenth Dynasty (ca. 1351-1334 BCE) Amenhotep IV, later in his reign known as Akhenaten, replaced the various traditional Egyptian deities by one deity, namely the Aten (Silverman 1997:221). This major transformation resulted in not only major cultural changes but also radically unorthodox Egyptian art forms which were all linked to Akhenaten's religious agenda (Tiradritti 2002:78-83). The paper attempts to discuss the impact of the new ideology of Akhnaten on urban development in the new erected capital, which had embraced the Aten and his messenger, Aknaten. Moreover, the current paper aims to examine the main artistic characteristics of Amarna art, and to explore tell what extend the Akhenaten's monotheistic religion's ideology had reflected in the nature of the art in this particular period. In addition, the paper will highlight the prominent features of the paintings and murals in the Great palace and the King's house as both structures had endured abounded of paintings and architectural attributes that help to identify the artistic features in Amarna Art.