Ruiter door leeuw aangevallen (de profeet Bileam?) 17th century

Editor: Right now, we're looking at "Ruiter door leeuw aangevallen (de profeet Bileam?)"—or "Rider Attacked by a Lion (the Prophet Balaam?)"— a 17th-century drawing from Augustin Braun, held at the Rijksmuseum. It's made using pen, ink, and pencil. The scene feels dramatic, like a moment pulled right out of a legend! What strikes you most about this work? Curator: Well, my dear editor, this isn't just drama; it's baroque drama! Feel that heightened sense of emotional intensity? Braun masterfully uses light and shadow to create a tangible feeling of terror and struggle. But beyond the theatrics, look closer. The prophet, if it is indeed meant to be Balaam, seems almost secondary to the raw energy of the lion and horse locked in mortal combat. Editor: That’s a great point! It does feel like the animals take center stage. Is that typical for depictions of this story? Curator: Not necessarily, but perhaps Braun intended a broader commentary on human vulnerability in the face of primal forces? The relatively undefined landscape contributes to the chaotic atmosphere, no? Tell me, what narrative do *you* piece together looking at this drawing? Editor: I see a story about being confronted by something unexpected and powerful, where even faith—if we're thinking about the prophet Balaam—doesn't guarantee safety. Curator: Precisely! And the beauty of art lies there, doesn't it? It holds a mirror to our own anxieties and aspirations. What seemed like just a rider and a lion now echoes something deeper. It feels like a window into the turmoil and grand narratives they explored. Editor: I'll definitely look at Baroque art differently now. Thanks for sharing your insight! Curator: My pleasure. Now, let’s go find something even more delightfully puzzling, shall we?