Art Funded by you

Gudea, King of Lagash

Unknown artist, c. 2100 BC

This imposing bust is of Gudea, ruler of Lagash, a city in ancient Sumer and a site of spectacular archaeological importance. A pious man, Gudea commissioned numerous statues of himself standing or seated in prayer. During a period of political unrest, Girsu, the religious center of Lagash was ravaged and statues were decapitated. Thus, all of the Gudea figures found during the excavations between 1877 and 1933, were discovered without heads. This statue was discovered as a torso and finished with a head which does not match the surface of the break, but is still believed to be the original. Traces of gold on the fingernails indicate they were originally gold-plated.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Gudea, King of Lagash, c. 2100 BC

Date supported

1931

Medium and material

Mottled green dolorite

Dimensions

Height: 73.6 cm

Grant

5300

Total cost

7500

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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