Lopende leeuw, van voren 1775 - 1833

Jean Bernard created this drawing of a ‘Running Lion, from the Front’ using graphite, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image has a remarkable sense of softness and quietude due to its muted grey tones and the lion’s introspective gaze. Bernard's precise and delicate lines render the lion's mane with a flowing, tactile quality. The composition invites contemplation: the lion appears self-contained, almost melancholic, despite its formidable nature. This depiction contrasts sharply with more traditional, heroic portrayals of lions, disrupting established symbolic meanings of power and dominance. The artist employs subtle gradations of tone to model the lion’s form, capturing both its muscular structure and its vulnerability. The landscape is only lightly sketched to keep the focus on the animal, whose presence anchors the piece. The drawing challenges viewers to reconsider their expectations, prompting reflection on the themes of strength, emotion, and representation.