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Statue of Gudea
Unknown maker (Mesopotamia), c. 2144–2124 BCE
Gudea ruled as ensi, or governor, of the city-state of Lagash in what is now Iraq, between about 2144 and 2124 BCE. The Cleveland Museum of Art counts more than 30 recorded statues of him that show the same gesture of clasped hands, and more than 2,400 inscriptions describing his reign, which included support for the arts and a large building programme.
Statues like this were placed in temples as stand-ins for the ruler himself, showing his devotion and piety. The head of this one is missing, but the posture and the hands tell the same story.
The statue is made of dolerite, a very hard stone, and stands about 126 centimetres high.
From the museum record
| Artist | Unknown maker (Mesopotamia) |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 2144–2124 BCE |
| Medium | Dolerite |
| Size | Overall: 126 x 55 x 36 cm |
| Museum | The Cleveland Museum of Art |
| Credit line | Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund |
| Accession number | 1963.154 |
| Licence | Open Access (CC0) |
Source: The Cleveland Museum of Art collection record. Facts such as dates, sizes and credit lines come from that record. The write-up above was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the museum record and standard references. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
