Liggende leeuw 1778 - 1830

This drawing of a resting lion was made by Johan Jakob Biedermann, probably in the late 18th or early 19th century, using graphite or a similar material. The marks on the page show Biedermann's careful process, building up the image through many light strokes. You can see the direction he took with his hand, the varying pressure that gives the lion's coat its texture and volume. It's fascinating to consider the context for this image. Biedermann likely never saw a lion in the wild. Instead, he probably studied one in a menagerie, or perhaps even based his drawing on another artist's rendering. The image thus speaks to a growing fascination with the natural world, and its representation, during a period of increasing global trade and colonial expansion. The drawing is not just an artistic exercise, but a reflection of broader cultural and economic forces. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images are embedded in complex histories of making and meaning.