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Portrait of a famous man
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Gerd VDC (GerdVDC)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 181 W: 1 N: 193]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (749) |
| Genre: People |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2005-01 |
| Categories: Artwork |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-07-22 5:32 |
| Viewed: 1228 |
| Points: 12 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is a close up of a statue of Egypt's famous boy-King, Tutankhamun. Despite his fame, Tutankhamun was not a very significant King when it comes to accomplishments in Egyptian history. Tutankhamun's reign followed directly on the Amarna period, with the controversial King Akhenaten, who changed the state religion to the worshipping of the solar disc (the Aten). Akhenaten might have been (but we can't say this with certainty) Tutankhamun's father, whose birthname was actually Tutankhaten (Living image of the Aten), but he changed his name in year 2 of his reign. The reason was that Tutankhamun reinstated the old religion from prior to the Amarna period, and the new capital "Akhetaten", located in Tell el-Amarna was abandoned. The "Amarna period" was named after the modern name of Akhenaten's new capital.
Prior to Howard Carter's discovery of his tomb in the Valley of the Kings, little was known about Tutankhamun, but his fame is due to the sheer magnitude of treasures found in his tomb (and especially the magnificent golden burial mask). His tomb is actually rather small compared to other tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and only the burial room has been decorated.
This photo was taken in the Karnak complex. The nose has been restored, and if someone happens to have the book "Toutankhamon" by Aude Gros de Beler, there's a photo in there of what it looked like before the restoration. Statues often have damaged noses and beards because these are vulnerable parts when they fall over. Tut is standing here in the form of the god Amun: we know that by the base of the feathers that you can see just above his crown, as these are the signs of Amun.
I like the realistic features on his face: if I look at the lips I get the feeling he's going to speak any minute. It's a wonderful example of New Kingdom art, and a portrait of a very famous man: I hope you like it. |
hayu, waggs, sam224, jhm, t0mmm1, sergecross has marked this note useful
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