Relief-carved Fragment from Persepolis c. 486

This relief-carved fragment from Persepolis was created by a Persian artist, and is now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The stone's rough edges contrast dramatically with the meticulously carved details of the figure's hair and beard. Note the rhythmic repetition of curls. These shapes create a visual texture that softens the stone's inherent hardness. The profile view, with its emphasis on line and contour, flattens the figure, reducing it to a set of carefully delineated shapes. This echoes the conventions of ancient Near Eastern art, where representation often prioritized clarity and symbolism over naturalism. The fragment invites us to consider the relationship between form and power. The stylized representation serves not merely as a portrait, but as an emblem of authority, where the visual language communicates the cultural and political values of its time.