De leeuw 1894 - 1959

This is a print called "De leeuw" by Gordinne. There’s no date, but let’s just say it’s a little older. The lion and its prey are rendered in soft browns and greens, with a subtle cross-hatching that gives a sense of depth and texture. It’s not trying to trick you into thinking this is real life, but it does present a vision of nature, where everything is both beautiful and brutal, all at once. If you look closely, you can see the fine lines of the printmaking process. It’s like seeing the artist's hand, even though it's a mechanical reproduction. The lion's face, with its snarling mouth and piercing eyes, is particularly striking. It reminds me a little of some of the surrealist painters, who were interested in exploring the darker side of human nature. This piece reminds me of the work of someone like Henri Rousseau, in that it shares a naivety, a sense of wonder, and a celebration of the natural world. Art is always in conversation, and this piece, with its mix of observation and imagination, speaks to the enduring power of images to shape our understanding of the world.