Two lion studies 1812 - 1814

Editor: So here we have Théodore Géricault’s "Two Lion Studies", dating from around 1812 to 1814. It’s a pencil drawing, very quick and gestural. I’m struck by the sort of… caged power it evokes. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a study of power dynamics that are typical in this time, these Lions seem removed and aloof to us which gives them a power we attribute to things we fear. Considering Géricault's focus on the marginalized and those in positions of extreme distress, how might we see these lions in a similar context? Editor: I see what you mean! Were lions symbolic of something specific back then? Curator: Absolutely. The lion, for centuries, served as a symbol of royalty, strength, and imperial power, deployed strategically within visual and political culture to bolster narratives of authority. Editor: So by sketching them, Géricault could be questioning or exploring those power structures? Was this a common theme in his work? Curator: Indeed. He often explored themes of authority, challenging societal norms through his art. This aligns with broader intellectual currents questioning established power structures after the French Revolution. Editor: That's fascinating! I’m starting to see the drawing less as just an animal study, and more of a commentary on power. Curator: Exactly! The Romantics frequently used animals to symbolize human emotions and societal structures. It gives you a great point to delve into, right? Editor: It does, that makes so much sense when you explain it! Thank you!