Two Princesses - Met Museum Collection
Inventory Number: 1985.328.6 New Kingdom, Amarna Period, ca. 1353–1336 B.C. Dynasty 18, Reign of Akhenaton. Location Information: Middle Egypt, Hermopolis (Ashmunein; Khemenu), Pylon of Ramesses II, Foundations, Deutsche Hermopolis Expedition 1939; Probably originally from Amarna (Akhetaten)
Description:
The demonstration of affection in this detail showing two of Akhenaten's daughters is typical of the intimacy allowed in representations of the royal family during the Amarna period. Although affectionate gestures are not entirely unknown in royal art of other eras, the casual pose and the fully frontal depiction of the older sister's torso are unparalleled among royal figures and are extremely rare in any type of representation during other periods of Egyptian art.