Page:A History of Art in Chaldæa & Assyria Vol 2.djvu/182

154 A History of Art in Chai.d.i a and Assyria. As for fishes, crabs, and shells, these were scattered broadcast o'er the watercourses in the reliefs, but they are never studied with an)' great care (see Vol. I., Figs. 34 and 157), nor is any attempt made to distinguish their species. They seem to have been introduced merely as hints to the spectator, to dispel any doubt he may entertain as to the meaning of those sinuous lines by which the sculptor suggested rivers and the sea. Where these indications are not given we might indeed very easily mistake the artist's intention (see Vol. I., Figs. 38 and 71). Some of the animals in the Assyrian reliefs are then nothing but determinative signs, a kind of pictorial gloss. Of these it will suffice to mention the existence. Their forms are so much generalized that they offer no matter for study. On the other hand, our best attention should be given to those figures whose modelling has strongly interested the artist, who has taken a lively pleasure in reproducing their various aspects and in making them live again in all the originality of their powerful and excep- tional natures. In this respect the lion deserves particular notice. He interested the Assyrian sculptors more profoundly than any other animal and they devoted extraordinary attention to illus- trating his various attitudes and characteristics. One is inclined to believe that the more skilful among them chose a lion for treatment when they wished to display all the talent they possessed and to gain a reputation for complete mastery of their art. 1 Here we find the great beast stretched carelessly upon the ground, full of confidence in his strength and careless of danger (Plate XI.) ; there he rises to his feet and advances ready to collect himself and spring upon any threatening enemy or passing prey (Plate VIII.). We sometimes find both these motives united, as in a bas-relief of Assurbanipal, which is unfortunately mutilated (Fig. jy). Here a lioness is stretched upon the ground, her head upon her forepaws and her tail outstretched behind her, in a favourite attitude of very young cats. The lion stands upright before her in a proud, extended attitude like that of the colossal lion from Nimroud (Plate VIII.) ; his head and the hind parts of his body are unfortunately missing. 1 A lion hunt is to be found in the bas-reliefs of Assurnazirpal, dating from the ninth century, b.c. (Layard, Monuments, first series, plates 10 and 31) ; but it is especially in those of Assurbanipal (7th century), that the animal becomes so conspicuous.