An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Head of Amenhotep III Wearing the Round Wigc. 1391–1353 BCE
Although he must have been nearly 50 years old when this portrait was carved, Amenhotep III appears more youthful than ever. Over a round, curly wig he wears a diadem with side streamers adorned with cobras bearing sun disks on their heads. The stone quartzite was associated with the sun on account of its ruddy hues, ranging in color from brown to red to purple. It was a favorite of Amenhotep III, the king who called himself the "dazzling sun-disk of all lands."
Amenhotep wears a chin strap that would have held up a false beard.
brown quartzite
Overall: 17.3 x 17 x 25.3 cm (6 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 9 15/16 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
Once upon a time, in a sun-kissed land where the Nile carved its way through golden sands, there lived a king named Amenhotep III. His reign, a tapestry woven with splendor and authority, brought prosperity to his people and beauty to the world around him. Though he was approaching the age of fifty, in the eyes of the artists, he radiated a youthful vigor that seemed untouched by time.
As artisans wielded their chisels, they captured the essence of this great king in a stunning portrait. The stone they chose was quartzite, a material whose warm hues—ranging from rich browns to deep purples—evoked the glorious light of the sun. This was no ordinary rock; it pulsed with the energy of the solar deity itself, tying the king to the divine. He adorned himself with a magnificent round, curly wig that whispered tales of elegance and power, while atop his head sat a diadem. This royal crown, embellished with side streamers, bore cobras—symbols of protection and regality—each crowned with a sun disk, glowing softly in the light.
Amenhotep III, who called himself the "dazzling sun-disk of all lands," embodied his lineage and legacy through this portrait, resonating peace and strength. As his likeness came to life within the confines of the stone, he seemed to project a warmth that encapsulated the visions of a flourishing Egypt. In that moment, both time and timeworn artistry converged, creating a vision of a ruler who transcended the years—a lasting testament to the brilliance of a king whose spirit was eternally intertwined with the essence of the sun.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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