Assyrian Relief of a Winged Genius in the Walters Art Museum, September 2009

Relief with Winged Genius


Creator: Assyrian (Artist)

Period: 883-859 BC (Neo-Assyrian)

Medium: alabaster (Sculpture)

Accession Number: 21.8

Measurements: H: 93 x W: 53 1/2 x D: 6 in. (236.2 x 135.9 x 15.2 cm)

Geographies: Calah (in present-day Iraq) (Place of Origin)


This relief decorated the interior wall of the northwest palace of King Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud, which is situated in present-day Iraq. With his right hand, the genius (or benevolent spirit) uses a cone-shaped object to sprinkle from his bucket some magic potion upon either a sacred tree or the king depicted on the adjacent relief. The genius wears the horned crown of a deity and the elegant jewelry and fringed cloak of contemporary courtiers.

[Translation] (Property of) the palace of Ashurnasirpal, vice-regent of Aszszur, chosen of the gods Enlil and Ninurta, beloved of the gods Anu and Dagan, destructive weapon of the great gods, strong king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Ninurta (II), great king, strong king, king of the universe, / king of Assyria, son of Adad-nerari (II), great king, strong king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, valiant man who acts with the suppor of Aszszur, his lord, and has no rival.


Text from: art.thewalters.org/detail/32526/relief-with-winged-genius/