Nefertiti

 

The Head Of Nefertiti

Nerfertiti was a queen of Akhetaten which was the modern Tell el-Amarna, who ruled in the Eighteenth Dynasty, c. 1353-1336 BCE. The proportions of Nefertiti's refined, regular featuires, long neck, and heavy-lidded eyes appear almost too ideal to be human. The artist uses an expense of dramatic color to bring the sculture to life. The queen's brows, eyelids, cheeks and lips are heightened with color to exaggerate the features and luxury of the queen and were also heightened with cosmetics in real life. Phrases used by her subjects tend to support the artist's vision among-st creating this portrait statue. The Head of Nefertiti was discovered in the studio of the sculptor Thutmose in Akhetaten which was the capital city. Portraits were rare at this time and in this city and the teaching of her ruling were admired but this statue was believed to be a  model for sculptures and/or paintings of the queen.

Head Of Senusret III

 

Head Of Senusret III

Sensuret III was a king of the Twelfth Dynasty who ruled from c. 1836 to 1818 BCE. He was considered to be a dynamic king and successful general. It is said that he led four military expeditions into Nubia. His ruling was admired and very influencing upon other potential rulers. He did much toward regaining control over his country's increasingly independent nobles. He seems to have an archaic smile in this picture. His portrait statue reflects his achievements and also his personality and inner thoughts. He appears to be a wise and serious man but also saddened, lonely, and burdened by the weight that his responsibilities hold. He has a position to impose and because he is king he has to take on the burdens of each and every civilian in his country. In this portrait he seems to be preoccupied and emotionally drained. This image betrays a pessimistic view of life. Just comes to show that even the wisest kings feel.

Khafre, Detail Of Head

 

Khafre, Detail Of Head

Khafre was a king from Giza who ruled in the Fourth Dynasty between c. 2520-2494 BCE. This statue was found inside his Valley Temple. Khafre was portrayed as an enthroned king sitting on an elegant but simple throne. The falcon god Horus on the back of the king shows the falcon protectively enfolding the king's head with his wings. The statue's weight is being supported by the throne he is sitting on which makes the weight of the statue even and balanced. Of course the statue weighs a ton because of the material in which it was made out of. This statue is made out of Anorthosite gneiss and its height 5'6 1/2". He wears the traditional royal costume: a short, pleated kilt, a linen headdress with the cobra symbol of Ra, and a false beard symbolic of royalty. This statue was carved into the stone rather than out of the stone. The stone used in this statue is related to diorite. The stone was imported from Nubia. The stone produces a rare optical effect when it comes in contact with the sun. In the sun it glows in a deep blue and the celestial color of Horus. It creates a blue radiance off the sun.

Menkaure & A Queen

 

Menkaure & A Queen 

The queen in the sculpture is believed to be Menkaure's wife, Khamernebty from Giza. Menkaure ruled during the Fourth Dynasty and ruled 2490-2472 BCE. This statue is presented in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts. In This statue you can tell that the king is not standing alone and has the queen supporting him in balance and in embrace. Because they are joined by the stone, the weight of the sculpture is even on both sides. The king is not free-standing because he has the support of his wife. The statue is made of Graywacke with traces of red and black paint. During this time, the kings were expected to have an ideal body that came off to be athletic and conceived of a youthful figure nude to the waist and wearing a royal kilt and headcloth. The king stands in the typical egyptian king's balanced pose. The queen taking a step forward  in the statue echoes his stance.