Forpartiet af en liggende løve, fra 'David slås med bjørnen'. 1628 - 1630

This detailed pencil drawing, "Forpartiet af en liggende løve, fra 'David slås med bjørnen'" (The Forepart of a Reclining Lion, from 'David Fights the Bear'), is a preparatory study by Willem Panneels, a Flemish Baroque artist who tragically died young at the age of 34. The drawing, created between 1628 and 1630, shows the powerful, yet graceful anatomy of a lion, its mane meticulously rendered in fine lines. Panneels' attention to detail and his skillful use of light and shadow create a lifelike and dramatic depiction of the animal, highlighting its strength and ferocity. It's a valuable glimpse into the artist's creative process and his mastery of figurative drawing. This piece is now held in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst (the National Gallery of Denmark).