Panel 1550 - 1599

This panel, by Jean Goujon, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents a complex interplay of forms carved into its surface. The texture of the panel draws the eye across the work. The composition is dense, filled with symbols of power and conflict. The artist employs a high level of detail to depict the textures of fur, metal, and fabric, which creates a rich visual experience. Note how Goujon uses depth to create space, giving the impression of layers of objects. These objects, however, challenge fixed meanings. A lion, a symbol of courage, is placed above an armed figure, and around them are weapons of war. This combination of elements presents a visual language that explores the virtues and vices associated with power. Consider the panel's original context, perhaps adorning a royal building. It is here where the panel is not just an aesthetic object but also a site of cultural and political discourse.