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.