Torso of Queen Nefertiti
Meticulously crafted, a remains of a torso statue from the Amarna period, believed to represent Nefertiti or perhaps one of her daughters. The torso is notable for its artistry and historical significance, showcasing the skilled craftsmanship of the period.
Nefertiti, the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, is a significant figure in ancient Egyptian history, known for her beauty and for her role during a transformative period in Egyptian religion and art.
The statue depicts a woman wearing a close-fitting, pleated linen dress. A pleated robe of linen with fringed border tied beneath her right breast and revealing her exaggeratedly voluptuous figure.
Nefertiti is often celebrated for her iconic bust, but this torso adds to our understanding of her representation in ancient art.
“Nefertiti keeps her well-defined waist but develops a rounded abdomen, large hips, jodhpur-like thighs and pronounced buttocks which remind us of the fact that she has borne at least six children. Her stomach is often highlighted by a single curved line at the base of the abdomen just above the pubic mound. Nefertiti’s breasts received little attention; they were not considered her most important attribute.
Nefertiti’s usual garment, a transparent, pleated linen robe tied with a sash worn either under the bust or around the waist, allows us a clear view of her body.
Indeed, the dress is frequently shown with the front completely open so that the queen’s body is displayed without any obvious form of undergarment. Alternatively Nefertiti dons a dress so fine and so close-fitting that her entire form can be seen through the folds.
It is highly unlikely that Nefertiti habitually wore such revealing and uncomfortable garments. Artistic convention had always required that the female form should be well defined…”
― Nefertiti: Egypt’s Sun Queen, by Joyce Tyldesley (#aff)
The torso reflects the elegance and sophistication of 18th Dynasty sculpture, characterized by a strong sense of proportion and graceful lines. While the sculpture is incomplete, it still conveys a sense of regal presence.
New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, Amarna Period, reign of Akhenaten, ca. 1353-1336 BC. Red quartzite, height: 29 cm. Now in the Louvre. E 25409
