ASSYRIAN KING

ASSYRIAN KING

by STRIX

Original Artwork

Pastels & Graphite on Pastel Paper

410 mm x 275 mm

Relief from the palace of Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud, 9th century BC.

THE BRITISH MUSEUM

DESCRIPTION

This is a sketch of a beautiful relief sculpture on display at the British Museum.

The king Ashurnasirpal II is shown either side of the central Assyrian Tree of Life represented by a series of nodes and criss-crossing lines, whilst being blessed by a protective spirit in a 'cone-smearing' rite.

Ashurnasirpal II was king of Assyria from 883 to 859 BC and built a new Assyrian capital at Kalhu (Nimrud) in Mesopotamia where this relief originated.