Un Leone 1894

Giuseppe Barberis created 'Un Leone,' or 'A Lion,' using an engraving technique in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century in Italy. The image displays a lion being approached by three figures. One visual code here is the lion, which is often associated with courage, nobility, royalty, and stateliness. Lions can be seen as symbols of power, and Italy was a world power in the past, holding imperial power over a vast portion of the European continent for centuries. The association of figures with this powerful animal could relate to this sense of imperial confidence. One figure seems to be battling the lion, while the other two try to climb on top. Is the artwork suggesting a social order, with ordinary people attempting to gain power? The historical context here is obviously key. Art historical research involves a wide variety of resources. Knowing about the artist and the culture from which they came provides a crucial framework for understanding the artwork.