A plastic work of sculptural art made of wood, stone, ivory, bronze or other metals.

While sculptures from wood, ivory or stone are made directly from the block of material, for bronze casting a working model is prepared at first. Usually it is made of clay or other easily shaped materials.

The prime time of sculpture after the Roman antiquity was the Renaissance. Impressionism gave a new impulse to the sculptural arts. Also the contemporary artists, such as Jorg Immendorf, Andora, and Markus Lupertz enriched the sculpture with outstanding works.

The ruined city in Mesopotamia, on the Euphrates river. It was firstly mentioned at the end of the third millennium B.C. At the beginning of the second millennium the city developed into the capital of Babylonia and the cultural center of the entire Near Eastern world. The Hammurabi's reign, around 1700 B.C., is based on the importance of the god Marduk, who was revered throughout the Near East. The city experienced its biggest growth under Nabopolassar (626-605 B.C.) and Nebuchadrezzar II (605-562 B.C.).

The Babylonian art is represented by just a few works. Basalt and marble reliefs as well as diverse cylinder seals have been retained. The lion from the Processional Way at the Ischtar Gate in Babylon are now to be found in the Louvre in Paris.

Related links:
Sumerian art