(artist unknown, located at Persepolis, Iran). (491-486). Darius and Xerxes Receiving Tribute [limestone stairway relief]. The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.

An orderly, if not rigid and graceful, sensitivity to rhythm and implied axis lines characterizes this relief. At first glance, the stiff character might remind one of the mosaics and reliefs mastered by the Egyptians of the same general time period, however this one offers a touch more energy. | 


This is one of an unnumbered examples of the visual arts employed strictly for the purpose of promoting the state. It is not difficult to identify which figures are the subject. Hierarchic and disproportionate scale are used to help define them. They are centrally located, slightly elevated, and the rhythm of the figures framing them further emphasize their location. Only one oversized figure is seated and his adornment surpasses all others. 

Figurative forms are heavily abstracted to project lateral motion from both edges toward the center, where the primary figure (Darius) is located. In addition, rhythm, pattern, and the dimensions of color (no longer available on this work) are employed in such a way to present the subject figure (and Xerxes) as dominant. 



The abstracted treatment of the figures support this work's decorative nature. Depth is only developed to the point necessary to support emphasis on the subject. Profile views and fractional representation are used to force forms into the formatting order. It is firmly balanced, and pictorially mimics the character of the medium it is created from. 



There is a mix of organic and artificial shapes. Natural are figurative and masculine in character. All shapes are shallow and somewhat mechanical. Lines are not a primary element used to create this scene, but where they are used, they depict weapons in a rigid, vertical manner. The only line that has more dynamic energy is held by the central figure, further emphasizing his importance. The pictorial result of elemental treatment is a depiction harmonized to near-rigidity. Overall, this work achieves its communicative purpose, and is strong in its use of rhythm and directional impressions.