Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Daughters Wall Relief, Egyptian Royal Family Scene, 15 in

A Tender Royal Portrait: the Akhenaten Nefertiti Relief

This relief shows Akhenaten, his queen Nefertiti, and their daughters in a rare Egyptian royal family scene. A sun disk hangs between the parents. Its rays end in small hands that reach toward the family, as if offering life. The aged sandstone finish suits the subject. This Akhenaten Nefertiti relief has a mount on the back and is ready to hang.

Product Details

• Material: Bonded stone with aged sandstone finish
• Dimensions: 14.5 in W x 13.5 in H x 0.75 in D
• Weight: 7.25 lbs
• Display: Ready to hang with mount on back
• Original: Egyptian Museum, Berlin, Dynasty XVIII, about 1350 BC
• Product number: E-077S

The Original in Berlin

Our supplier lists the original in the Egyptian Museum in Berlin. It is dated to Dynasty XVIII, about 1350 BC. The Neues Museum in Berlin holds a limestone house altar of this kind. It shows Akhenaten and Nefertiti with three of their daughters beneath the sun. This Akhenaten Nefertiti relief recalls that tender idea in bonded stone.

Akhenaten and the Amarna Revolution

Akhenaten promoted a new solar religion centered on the Aten sun disk. He built a new capital, Akhetaten, now Tell el-Amarna. The Amarna Period lasted from about 1353 to 1336 BC. Artists drew the royal family with long faces and stretched skulls. Scholars read these as stylistic choices, not deformities. In an Amarna period relief the Aten sun disk sends its rays down as hands holding symbols of life.

A Family Under the Sun

Most royal art shows kings in formal poses. This Egyptian royal family scene feels more intimate. The parents and daughters gather close, and the sun blesses them all. The family itself becomes the subject. The Akhenaten Nefertiti relief gives the Aten sun disk a gentle, human reach.

Reading an Amarna Period Relief

Look for the soft, curved lines of the bodies and the closeness of parents and children. An Amarna period relief often shows an affection that earlier royal art avoided. Hanging this Amarna period relief at eye level lets the viewer follow the rays down to the family. The aged sandstone finish adds quiet dignity to the Akhenaten Nefertiti relief. This Egyptian royal family stays at the center of attention.

At 14.5 in wide and 7.25 lbs, this Akhenaten Nefertiti relief needs a sturdy wall fixing. Hang it in a study, a library, or a hallway. Dust it with a soft dry cloth. See more of our Egyptian Art Collection and the Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun relief.

After Akhenaten died, the old religion returned under Tutankhamun, and the new capital was abandoned. The Amarna Period remains a short, striking chapter in Egyptian art.

For More Reading

• Study the Berlin house altar with the sun and its reaching hands. House Altar: Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Their Three Daughters - Neues Museum, Berlin
• See how the reign that followed reversed his religion. Tutankhamun's World - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Read a broad overview of the pharaoh and his reign. Akhenaten - Wikipedia