Artwork
Assyrian slab of archers and spearmen, from the Palace of Shur-Bari-Pal (BC. 668-626), at Nineveh. ca. 660 B.C.
Assyrian slab of archers and spearmen, from the Palace of Shur-Bari-Pal (BC. 668-626), at Nineveh. ca. 660 B.C. is a photographic photography by Unknown. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This black‑and‑white photograph captures a carved stone slab originating from the Palace of Shur‑Bari‑Pal at Nineveh, dated to approximately 660 B.C. The relief depicts two armed figures in a dynamic pose, rendered in low relief on a rough‑hewn background typical of Assyrian palace decoration.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a warrior wielding a bow, arrow drawn upward, alongside a second figure gripping a spear. The portrayal emphasizes martial readiness and the power of the Assyrian army, reflecting the royal propaganda of military prowess common in Neo‑Assyrian art.
Technique & Style
Carved in stone, the relief employs a stiff, angular treatment of forms, with sharply defined armor scales and rigid postures. The low relief technique creates a shallow depth, allowing the figures to stand out against the textured background without the softness seen in later periods.
History & Provenance
The slab was part of the decorative program of the Shur‑Bari‑Pal palace, one of the major royal complexes at Nineveh during the reign of Ashurbanipal. It entered the scholarly record through early 20th‑century excavations, and the photograph serves as a modern documentation of the fragment.
Context
Assyrian palace reliefs of the 7th century B.C. often served to record military campaigns and to legitimize the king’s authority. This piece fits within a broader visual program that combined narrative scenes with depictions of armed guards, reinforcing the image of a fortified, orderly realm.
Artist & collection
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