Two Princesses Relief in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, September 2015

Two Princesses
ca. 1353–1336 B.C.


Object Details

Period: New Kingdom, Amarna Period

Dynasty: Dynasty 18

Reign: reign of Akhenaten

Date: ca. 1353–1336 B.C.

Geography: From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Hermopolis (Ashmunein; Khemenu), Pylon of Ramesses II, Foundations, Deutsche Hermopolis Expedition 1939; Probably originally from Amarna (Akhetaten)

Medium: Limestone, paint

Dimensions: h. 21.2 cm (8 3/4 in); w. 29.2 cm (11 1/2 in); d. 2.2 cm (7/8 in)

Credit Line: Gift of Norbert Schimmel, 1985

Accession Number: 1985.328.6


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.

Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/544058