Stenen sculptuur van de heilige Adrianus met leeuw before 1889

This stone sculpture of Saint Adrian with a lion was made by an anonymous artist. The artwork presents a rigid yet elegant figure; note the verticality emphasized by the sword and the saint’s posture, contrasting with the rounded forms of his hair and the lion. The texture of the stone gives a tactile quality, inviting a close visual inspection of its carved details. The sculpture is structured around a series of symbolic elements, forming a semiotic system. Adrian's attributes – the sword, the lion, and the anvil, each signify aspects of his martyrdom and sainthood, all codified within the visual language of religious art. The composition, with the saint standing over the lion, suggests a narrative of triumph and faith. Consider the cultural context: the formal choices reflect broader artistic and philosophical concerns of the period, where religious imagery was designed to instruct and inspire. The sculpture functions not only as a devotional object but also as a cultural artifact embedding historical and philosophical discourse.