Heads of Three Lions 1636 - 1646

Stefano della Bella rendered these "Heads of Three Lions" in ink on paper sometime in the 17th century. Lions, often symbols of power, courage, and royalty, are here reduced to studies in form, a play of light and shadow. During the 17th century, artists frequently sketched animals to hone their skills, yet the emotional depth della Bella captures is striking. Observe the contrast: one lion, regal and composed, the other with jaws agape, perhaps roaring, or in pain. What does it mean to depict the symbol of power in a moment of vulnerability? This was a period of immense social stratification and cultural shifts. Della Bella, working for the Medici court, would have been keenly aware of the power dynamics at play. These studies resonate with a tension between the ideal and the real, the powerful and the exposed. It makes you wonder, does power always roar? Or sometimes, does it whimper?