Photographer's Note
Today an example of a positive role of museums as saviors of endangered artefacts. I start with an fragment of article from National Geographic:
Nimrud was the first Assyrian capital, founded 3,200 years ago. Its rich decoration reflected the empire's power and wealth. The site was excavated beginning in the 1840s by British archaeologists, who sent dozens of its massive stone sculptures to museums around the world, including New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum in London. Many originals remained in Iraq. The site itself is massive: An earthen wall surrounds 890 acres. The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities says ISIS bulldozed parts of the site, but the extent of the damage isn't yet clear. Some of the city was never uncovered and remains underground—protected, one hopes.
(source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/150901-isis-destruction-looting-ancient-sites-iraq-syria-archaeology)
The sculptures which you see in this picture are a part of quite extensive exhibition of artefacts from Assyrian archeological sites. This particular gateway marked the entrance into the king's private apartments in the magnificent Northwest Palace at Nimrud (near present day Mosul in Iraq). The palace was built by the Neo-Assyrian King Ashurnasirpal II (883–859 BC). The gateway is protected by two human headed winged lions, lamassu. There are at least three ancient Assyrian gates like that in British Museum. This one is the smallest of them but best lit, hence my choice to show it.
If you follow the link above to the National Geographic article, it shows a map of ancient archeological sites demolished by the Islamic State. I suppose we can thank the British Museum that at least some of the rich decorations were protected from the destruction. Below I will give coordinates of the archeological site rather than that of the British Museum.
36.098812, 43.327398
Critiques | Translate
dedee
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 123 W: 0 N: 781]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(3063) 2022-01-06 9:22
Hi Mariusz
This has worked really well in black and white. An extremely good view point emphasising the size of the sculptures.
David
pajaran
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 13596 W: 2948 N: 28140]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(115861) 2022-01-06 9:23
Pozdrav.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lep deo muzeja i eksponati, dobro pokazano sa kontrastom i perspektivom.
Dobar rad, lepaq crno bela fotografija.
lepe skulpture.
Stare civilizacije su uvek interesantne jer nam svojom ostavstinom salju poruke.
Zelim vam lepu i mirnu noc, sve najbolje.
Paja
goodwill
(4274) 2022-01-06 9:48
I like the perspective here. However the eyes find it difficult to concentrate at one single point, as there are a number of points of interest, starting from left to right, then moving towards top towards the semi circular mansion, finally marching deep with in towards the passage. This sot is like the possession of a child, who wants everything for himself, as Sun, moon and the entire universe.
A unique photograph, Mariusz.
Fis2
(170717) 2022-01-06 9:50
Czesc Mariusz!
Ciekawe foto z muzeum, korytarz robi wrazenie.
Znakomita perspektywa i kadr.
Dlaczego carno-biale? ;)
Milego wieczoru.
Krzysztof
lousat
(139236) 2022-01-06 10:08
Ciao Mariusz,in fact here we see something that was saved thanks to the "thefts" of works of art, surely it would have been destroyed by the Islamic state. Beautiful black and white version with perfect details and symmetry. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano
Silvio1953
(221563) 2022-01-06 12:06
Ciao Mariusz, impressive view of fantastic museum, beautiful B&W nice symmetri, excellent perspective, wonderful sharpmness, fine details and spelndid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio
PaulVDV
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6793 W: 24 N: 16053]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(62886) 2022-01-06 15:56
Hello Mariusz,
In any case, you made the right choice by going to the museum in London and not to Iraq.
I've seen pictures of similar statues from Iraq before and these statues are really huge.
The National Museum of Aleppo (Syria) also had such gigantic statues.
Excellent clear and sharp capture with good perspective.
Imagine you have such a sculpture at the entrance door of your home :)
Best regards, Paul
ifege
(48055) 2022-01-06 19:31
Hi Mariusz
Now this is one display in the British Museum that does protect antiquities that would otherwise have probably been destroyed. It was also my favourite display there.
A good B&W photo.
cheers
Ian
macjake
(98454) 2022-01-06 21:53
Hi Mariusz
I literally rolled my eyes when you mentioned ISIS...man that is just so typical, makes me so angry. I can honestly say I've never seen this before, so its well worth the view and the read. very effective compo, not only depth, but the depth rises the deeper it goes. love it. cheers
Craig
jemaflor
(147104) 2022-01-06 23:07
Hi Mariusz,
Excellent presentation, good perspective and good contrast in b&w, interesting museum, tfs
COSTANTINO
(116452) 2022-01-06 23:22
Hello dear friend
havea nice day for today
my dearest friend
the choice of sepia makes this
photo more impressive with
a hidden mystery,,,
Isnt it????
regards
Costantino
ikeharel
(113319) 2022-01-07 1:11
Good morning Mariusz,
Extraordinary view inside the museum. Maybe a colors version would enable a more impressive texture of the hall and exhibits inside - but I understand the reason for B&W format.
Have a nice friday,
Ike
jhm
(211736) 2022-01-07 9:21
Hello Mariusz,
The beginning of the entrance are splendid.
Also your angle chose with look through in the long corridor.
Good perspective and depth picture.
Very well done, TFS.
Best regards,
John
jmdias
(115128) 2022-01-07 9:24
mariusz
I remember a similar one in the museum, but there was many people in the area, you got few people there. nice option for B&W. amazing such sculptures preserved after so many times. I am happy they are in london not in the hands of the mad people.
take care
jorge
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Mariusz Kamionka (mkamionka)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 7392 W: 106 N: 19422]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(74375) - Genre: Lugares
- Medium: Preto & Branco
- Date Taken: 2021-12-29
- Camera: Canon EOS 90D, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- Map: view
- Versão da Foto: Versão Original
- Tema(s): Best of Arches IV [view contributor(s)]
- Date Submitted: 2022-01-06 8:47
