Visual and Contextual analysis

Works: 1st work *Relief of Akhenaten with Nefertiti and their children,

2nd work *The Great Hymn of Aten
Develop an essay that explores how each work presents the theme, both in terms of similarities and differences. Finally, you will be
required to identify a modern or contemporary representation of that theme in popular culture and discuss how the contemporary example reflects the
influence of those that came before it.
(**Contemporary representation is *Devotion in Modern Religion*)
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction
A. For each work, identify the author/artist, the name or title of the work, the date, the cultural origin or period of creation, and the current
location or physical setting.
B. What is your main argument/idea (thesis statement) about the relationship between your selected works and their shared theme?
C. How both works show the devotion to the Aten? Provide specific examples of each to prove the theme.

II. Historical Background
A. What is the relationship between each of your chosen works and culture of origin?
B. How did cultural traditions and ideologies influence/shape the two works of art?
C. What was the Amarna Period? Was Egypt stable at the time? What were Akhenaten’s motives to change their religious traditions?
D. How long did Akhenaten reign? Where was the Capital City?
E. How did the people respond to the changes in their religious traditions? Compare to how people would worship their pantheons gods in their polytheistic way in early dynasties.
F. Did Akhenaten fulfill the role of an extension of the Aten god?
Use examples to support your response.

III. Similarities/Differences
A. In what similar ways do your selected artist and author approach the shared theme found in their respective works? Provide specific examples
to support your response.
B. In what different ways do your selected artist and author approach the shared theme found in their respective works? Provide specific examples
to support your response.
C. How does each work express its specific cultural and historical setting? Provide specific examples to support your response. How do the two works of art compare to other works from previous dynasties? Do other hymns praise not only the god but the pharaoh as well?
D. How have the similarities and differences you identified come to represent the culture in which these works were created? Provide specific examples to support your response.

IV. Modern Influence
A. What impacts or influence have your two selected works had on a modern or contemporary expression of the identified shared theme?
B. How has each work continued to influence or define contemporary culture? Use examples to support your response.
C. What can we learn today from the works selected and their culture, taking into consideration the idea that history tends to repeat itself? Can we find the same devotion to a god present in today’s religions?
Provide specific examples to support your response.
D. Identify examples of modern and contemporary events or ideals that echo the theme of the works you have selected to discuss.
E. Do we create devotional icons and write hymns that praise religion much the same today as we did in ancient Egypt? Provide a
rationale for your choices. For example, Ajax and Achilles Playing a Dice Game illustrate two soldiers as they compete in a dice game and
mentally prepare for war. Based on this, one could ask, “How do we prepare today’s military for battle both physically and mentally?”
E. How have the works you selected come to serve as archetypes for the theme you have identified as a commonality? Provide examples to
support your response.
F. What parallels do you see between the contemporary world and the culture that produced the works you selected?

V. Conclusion
Your conclusion should reiterate your thesis and summarize the main arguments of your essay concerning the similarities and differences between the two works of your choice and their relevance today.