Schetsen van een leeuwtje 1918

Lambertus Zijl sketched this lion cub in pencil on paper, likely around 1918. Zijl, born in Watergraafsmeer, Netherlands, was a sculptor known for his public monuments and architectural decorations. These quick sketches offer us insight into Zijl's process. They aren't a finished work, but rather an exploration of form and movement. Consider the cultural role of animal imagery at this time. Lions, often symbols of power and royalty, were frequently depicted in art and heraldry. Here, Zijl presents a different view: a vulnerable, playful cub. These sketches might have been studies for a larger work, or simply a way for Zijl to hone his skills. To fully understand its context, we might research the artist's other works, the artistic trends of the time, and the cultural significance of lions in Dutch society. Art history reminds us that meaning is always tied to the specific time and place in which a work is created.