Final answer:
The correct answer is b. The statue of Akhenaten from the New Kingdom is a statue of an Egyptian pharaoh noted for its Amarna Period artistic style that introduced dramatic changes in Egyptian art and religion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statue of Akhenaten, dating from the New Kingdom circa 1640 -1070 BCE, is a statue of an Egyptian pharaoh. The Amarna Period, part of the New Kingdom when Akhenaten reigned, is noted for its radical shift in both religious beliefs and artistic style. This era witnessed the transition to monotheism, focusing worship on the single deity Aten, often depicted as a sun disk. Akhenaten's representations, including the colossal statue from the Aten temple at Karnak, showcase distinct features like a long, oval face and androgynous body, symbolizing the new religious ideal and diverging sharply from previous Egyptian artistic norms.
After Akhenaten's death in 1336 BCE, Egypt returned to its traditional polytheistic religion, but the unique artistic contributions from the Amarna Period continued to influence later Egyptian culture. Key examples of Amarna art include the Bust of Nefertiti and the treasures found in Tutankhamun's tomb. Akhenaten's role in history has been a topic of mystery and debate, with some theories suggesting he played a part in the development of modern monotheism.