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Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BCE) / c. 1391–1353 BCE

Head of Amenhotep III Wearing the Blue Crown

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Head of Amenhotep III Wearing the Blue Crown as sculpture (Egypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18, reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 BCE) · c. 1391–1353 BCE).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

The Blue Crown or Khepresh was worn by New Kingdom Pharaohs into battle as well as in ceremonies.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this sculpture as granodiorite.

The museum's collection notes: During the long, peaceful reign of Amenhotep III, Egypt reached a pinnacle of wealth and splendor. This magnificent portrait captures the ruler's exotic features to perfection. He has large, almond-shaped eyes, elegant arched eyebrows, and a full mouth. His face is youthful and without blemish. The bone structure is lost in the fleshy fullness of the face. The contrast between polished and roughened surfaces is a hallmark of hard stone images of Amenhotep III. The flesh areas were smoothed to a glistening sheen, while the eyeballs and the crown were left rougher. The roughening of the crown also had a practical purpose, for the upper portion

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtHead of Amenhotep III Wearing the Blue Crown

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