Lamassu- Winged Lion Man. 883-859 B.C.; Neo-Assyrian period, reign of Ashurnasirpal II 10 ft tall. 883-859 BC, Alabaster stone. Sculpted in relief. Housed at the MET and the British Museum Lamassu is an Assyrian protective deity who has a human’s head, a body of a lion or an ox and bird’s wings. His purpose is to support and protect important archways in Assyrian palaces, such as the throne room. There is a lot of natural repeating lines on the head, wings and chest of Lamassu which build a lot of texture. The lines and texture work to draws one’s attention vertically up and down the sculpture giving him a superior and commanding presence. His face is stern and the is shadowing in his eyes emphasizes his power. There isn’t a colour scheme, as the entire piece is the colour of the medium- stone. From the front, Lamassu is symmetrical. Every human or animal characteristic is well blended together lending to a harmonious composition. Sources: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/32.143.2 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/c/colossal_statue_of_winged_lion.aspx
