Art Analysis: Assurnasirpal Two Killing Lions

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Three dimensional art is defined as media which “occupies space, defined through the dimensions of height, width and depth” (SAYLOR). These art works can be geometric or organic in nature (NORTON). Three dimensional art forms include sculptures, crafts and architecture. Three dimensional art form is fascinating to me because of the amount of realism and beauty it embodies, as well as for its functional and aesthetic value. For this assignment, I chose two beautiful pieces that illustrated the characteristic of three dimensional art and the processes it took to produce them. The first art work I want to analyze is a sculpture done by an Iraqi artist from Kalhu (modern day Nimrud) entitled, “Assurnasirpal II Killing Lions” (Sayre, 420). …show more content…

This work of art is subtractive because it involves skimming or subtracting from the material’s original mass or volume (Sayre, 295). Carving is a process where materials were being chiseled, cut into or hammered to achieve the desired form/s (Sayre, 299). The most common material carvers used to produce sculptures are wood or stone (Sayre, 299). In this art work, the artist used a material, in this case alabaster, and carved the material into shape using sharp tools, such as chisel or gouger. The carving for “Assurnasirpal II Killing Lions” is low relief, meaning its depths are shallow and the forms are not as elevated from the base as in high relief carving. Additionally, this sculpture is a type of frontal art which was meant to only be viewed from the front and not from the back (Sayre, 295). This type of art form is often used to embellish architectural structures such as residences, buildings and even palaces (Sayre, 295). In fact, this specific piece is found as a decoration in Assurnapiral II’s palace complex as one of the many relief arts found in his residence. This specific relief art depicted the powerful leadership of Assurnapiral II, the country’s strong military units, and the thriving capital of Kalhu which was established after the fall of Babylon in 1595 B.C. (Sayre,

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