Standing lion 1849

Daniel Greatbatch sculpted this earthenware "Standing Lion", now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Notice the meticulous detail with which Greatbatch renders the lion's mane through a tapestry of tiny, textured curls, each a discrete element but unified in form. This lion is not merely represented, it is constructed. The glazing technique furthers this sense of structure. Mottled browns and tans flow across the body, yet the lion's form retains its shape. The lion's pose is also significant; its paw rests firmly on a sphere, a classic symbol of dominance. This sculpture invites us to consider how the artist used form and composition to convey power. It's a play between naturalistic representation and deliberate construction. The lion, through its structured form and symbolic stance, becomes a sign—a constructed symbol—of authority and control. The artwork remains a potent site for interpretation.