Leeuw en twee leeuwinnen c. 1768 - 1834

Editor: Here we have Isaac van Haastert’s "Lion and Two Lionesses," created sometime between 1768 and 1834, using engraving techniques. The lions are set against this hazy landscape background… there's something almost dreamlike about it. What catches your eye in this print? Curator: Dreamlike is spot on! For me, it’s the way Haastert marries the realism of the animals—their musculature, the texture of their fur—with a romanticized landscape. The lion, front and center, possesses an almost regal air. His gaze is intense, but does it hold dominance or… resignation? Editor: Resignation… interesting. I was caught up in the pose of the lioness lying down; she almost seems bored. Curator: Perhaps. Or perhaps she trusts the lion to watch over her. This period was all about the Enlightenment, wasn't it? Classifying and understanding the natural world. And yet, here’s Haastert, maybe reminding us that even at the top of the food chain, there’s vulnerability. What do you think the somewhat monochrome palette contributes? Editor: It lends an antique feel, definitely separating it from a vibrant wildlife painting. It almost feels like a scientific illustration but with… drama? Curator: Exactly! It walks that tightrope. Is it science? Is it art? Is it a bit of both, blurring the lines? I find the tension thrilling! Editor: I see what you mean about the tension. It's like it's pulling in opposite directions. Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about. Curator: My pleasure! And remember, art is rarely about settling on one single answer. It's about the questions it provokes, and what you, the viewer, bring to it.