Horse Attacked by a Lion c. 16th century

Curator: This is "Horse Attacked by a Lion," made by Adamo Sculptore, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: The immediate feel is raw struggle—like the Old Masters' drawings, but more visceral. It's about the primal struggle, the fight for survival etched out in lines. Curator: Absolutely, and the lion itself represents power, dominance—a symbol often associated with royalty and strength. The horse, then, becomes a stand-in for vulnerability, perhaps even grace under pressure. Editor: I see that, and maybe there is a deeper layer here. The image could be about the conflict of opposing natures—the regal predator and the noble, yet helpless, prey. Curator: I agree. The etching method here really reinforces the tension, doesn't it? The stark contrasts, the tight cross-hatching—it's all so dramatic. Editor: Indeed. It’s an enduring vision of life's unavoidable conflicts, rendered with stark, beautiful strokes.