Final answer:
The Amarna period of Egyptian art introduced a radical change with more naturalistic and realistic figures, contrasting the long-standing tradition of idealized, rigid representations. This short-lived movement was tied to a religious shift towards monotheism under Akhenaten, but after his death, Egypt returned to its traditional artistic conventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The art of the Amarna period signifies a radical departure from the long-standing conventions of Egyptian artistic traditions. During the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten, Egyptian art underwent a significant transformation. This period is marked by a distinctive artistic style that embraced naturalism and movement, with figures shown in more relaxed poses, often in sunken relief, displaying a wider range of emotions and actions than seen in earlier periods.
The traditional Egyptian art, known for its consistency and stability, persisted largely unchanged over three millennia. It was characterized by its rectilinear forms, idealized human figures, and rigid poses. This convention is exemplified by the Narmer Palette and the depictions on the Temple of Edfu, which maintained consistent proportions and presentation of figures across ages. Egyptian rulers were portrayed in a standardized 'smiting' pose, denoting power and divine sanction.
In contrast, Amarna art broke away from these conventions, offering a more realistic portrayal of the human form with elongated necks, sloping foreheads, prominent chins, and a more naturalistic body shape. Even the portrayal of Akhenaten himself deviated from traditional depictions of pharaohs, showing him with androgynous features that some believe represented the non-gendered nature of the deity Aten.
This period was also marked by a shift from polytheism to monotheism, adding a religious dimension to the changes in artistic style. However, after Akhenaten's death, Egypt swiftly reverted to its traditional religious practices and artistic styles, making the Amarna period an exception in Egypt's artistic evolution.