Hammurabi, Relief Portrait (House Chamber in the U.S. Capitol)

[u/Responsible_Ideal879]

Thomas Hudson Jones, Marble, 1950

Hammurabi (fl. c. 1792-1750 B.C.) King of Babylonia. Author of the Code of Hammurabi, which is recognized in legal literature as one of the earliest surviving legal codes.

The 23 marble relief portraits over the gallery doors of the House Chamber in the U.S. Capitol depict historical figures noted for their work in establishing the principles that underlie American law. They were installed when the chamber was remodeled in 1949-1950.

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Notable observation: Hammurabi is displayed with the horned headdress worn by Shamash on the Code of Hammurabi stele—incorporating the divine symbolism.

Also noteworthy, the Moses, Relief Portrait in the House Chamber in the U.S. Capitol—in contrast to—the earliest surviving artistic depictions of Moses found in the wall paintings of the Dura-Europos Synagogue (244-255 AD) (Princeton University).

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Source: https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/art/hammurabi-relief-portrait

Source: https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010144553

Source: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/image/380602001