Dimensions: 49.6 x 69.0 cm
Copyright: Public Domain
Paul Meyerheim painted "The Jealous Lioness" using oil on canvas. It presents a lion tamer, whose closeness to the male lion has provoked the female lion to hostility. Notice the potent symbol of the caged animal, one that carries a long history, harking back to ancient Roman arenas and medieval menageries. These are places where primal instincts are both displayed and contained. The bars, heavy with their confining presence, speak to humanity’s enduring effort to control nature. The lioness's snarling face reminds us of the archaic mask, used in rituals to channel animal spirits. This is but one cultural expression of raw emotion. Just as in classical dramas where masks amplify inner turmoil, so too here we see a manifestation of jealousy, an emotion that transcends species. The scene engages with our primal understanding, revealing how the animal and human realms continually reflect one another. The motif lives on, constantly evolving in our collective psyche.
Comments
The weapons of a woman: the female lion tamer lays claim to the lion with calm confidence while the jealous lioness snarls at her threateningly. As the two rivals violate the boundaries of their respective territories – the woman’s hand reaches into the cage, the lioness’s paws grope out between its bars – the object of desire merely watches. With a subtle sense of humour, the painter Paul Meyerheim – a friend of Adolph Menzel – staged not only the reversal of gender roles in the domination of the male by the female, but also the superiority of reason over ‘wild nature’.
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
CollectMore like this
