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The Brooklyn Museum

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
The Dinner Party: Heritage Floor: Ereshkigal




signature image

Judy Chicago (American, b. 1939). The Dinner Party (Heritage Floor; detail), 1974–79. Porcelain with rainbow and gold luster, 48 x 48 x 48 ft. (14.6 x 14.6 x 14.6 m). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Foundation, 2002.10. © Judy Chicago. Photograph by Jook Leung Photography

Ereshkigal
Mythic, worshipped by the Akkadians of Sumer (modern-day Iraq), circa 2350–2150 B.C.

Ereshkigal, the older sister of Ishtar, was the Mesopotamian goddess who ruled Irkalla, the underworld. When Nergal, god of war and pestilence, visited Irkalla to bring food, he met Ereshkigal and they fell in love. He threatened to resurrect all of the dead if Anu did not allow them to marry and remain in Irkalla together. From then on, they ruled the underworld. Both are seen as dark and violent deities.

Related Place Setting

Kali

Related Heritage Floor Entries

Alukah
Arianhrod
Coatlicue
The Furies
Hecate
Hel
Irkalla

Morrigan
Nephthys
The Norns
Rhiannon
Tuchulcha
The Valkyries

Last updated April 13, 2007.
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