Colossal statue of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten
with nemes and double crown

Karnak, Gempaaten
Reign of Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten, 1351 - 1348 B.C
Sandstone; h. 205 cm, w. 111 cm, d. 60 cm.
Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Early in his reign, Amenhotep IV, who would become Akhenaten, built at least four temples to Aten at Karnak, lining a colonnade in one of them with colossal statues of himself. These haunting images are the earliest known sculpture of the revolutionary king. Their elongated features and hooded eyes demonstrate his new artistic style. This head is over six feet high; the complete statue would have been almost three times as tall.