The Lion in love 1908

Curator: Isn’t this drawing by Walter Crane just captivating? “The Lion in Love,” he called it, done in 1908 using ink. It’s the kind of piece that pulls you into its own little fairytale world, don't you think? Editor: It does have that quality. It feels…well, antique and whimsical all at once. What I find most striking is the composition; there’s almost too much happening. How would you interpret Crane's message here? Curator: Oh, message…yes, that’s always the juicy bit, isn't it? Look closely – this isn’t just a pretty picture, it's layered with meaning. Crane was deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts movement, so he wasn’t just about decoration; he wanted art to say something. Here, the lion willingly sacrifices his strength – teeth and claws – for love. But has he gone too far? See that little phrase at the bottom, it is difficult to read though? Editor: "Our very means may defeat our ends." Right, so perhaps the artwork questions whether sacrificing too much for love ultimately destroys the self? Curator: Precisely! It’s a cautionary tale, packaged as a children's illustration. And isn't that just brilliant? He mixes the harsh reality with an innocent aesthetic. The muted colours soften the blow, while Cupid casually watches. Are we perhaps, a bit complicit, just as Cupid is? Editor: I didn't think of it that way at all! It seemed like just a storybook image at first glance. But now, seeing those layers...it's really unsettling! Curator: Indeed, unsettling in its quiet beauty, isn't it? Love makes us do crazy things, it seems! Thanks for helping me think this through. Editor: Thanks so much for sharing your perspective; I will definitely think about Walter Crane's works differently.