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The Great Lion
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Created during the Eighty Years’ War, De Gheyn’s <em>Great Lion </em>blends political allegory with naturalistic observation. The lion symbolizes the Dutch Republic’s bravery in its fight for independence from Spain, while the Latin inscription praises the lion’s—and by extension, the young Dutch Republic’s—vigilance and courage. De Gheyn, who also served in a local militia and produced an important military manual for the Dutch stadtholder, depicts the scene with detailed accuracy, from the texture of the lion’s fur to the carefully observed skull, which may reflect his attendance at dissections at Leiden’s anatomy theater.
| Artist / Maker | Jacob de Gheyn II |
|---|---|
| Date | 1590 |
| Culture / Origin | Netherlands |
| Medium | engraving |
| Dimensions | Image: 25.4 x 33 cm (10 x 13 in.) |
| Department | Prints |
| Type |
About the Artist
BiographyJacob de Gheyn II (1565–1629) — Dutch painter and engraver (c.1565-1629).Jacob de Gheyn II worked as painter, graphic artist, visual artist, engraver and map drawer and is associated with Southern Netherlands. Their documented life spans the years 1565 to 1629, born in Antwerp, died in The Hague.Disciplinespainter, graphic artist, visual artist, engraver, map drawerBorn1565, AntwerpDied1629, The HagueNationalitySouthern NetherlandsSources: Wikidata · Wikipedia Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
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