Leeuwenkoppen, vermoedelijk naar een beeldhouwwerk 1874

George Clausen created this sketch titled 'Leeuwenkoppen, vermoedelijk naar een beeldhouwwerk' or 'Lion Heads, probably after a sculpture' sometime between 1852 and 1912. Clausen was a British artist known for his depictions of rural life and working-class people. In this drawing, we see two studies of lion heads, rendered with quick, expressive lines. Lions in art have a long history as symbols of power and authority. Consider Clausen's interest in depicting laborers; lions also represent the working class, a force that when united, can overthrow structures. His art often served as a commentary on the social and economic conditions of his time. Clausen focuses on the lion's faces which seems to humanize the animals, emphasizing their expressiveness. By drawing attention to their faces, Clausen invites us to consider the symbolic weight of these creatures. This evokes a sense of reverence, and maybe even empathy.