Image Details

The Art Archive/Bibliotheque Des Arts Decoratifs Paris/Dagli Orti

Standing on a wall in March 1847, Layard supervises the removal of a great winged, human-headed lion that once flanked the entrance to an Assyrian palace at Nimrud/Kalhu. Layard managed to ship one of these 12-foot-tall, 13-ton colossi back to the British Museum, where it was installed in 1852. This pen, ink and wash drawing was used as an illustration in Layard’s books.