Reclining Lion, From Back 1816

Editor: We're looking at "Reclining Lion, From Back," a graphite drawing made around 1816 by Edwin Landseer, now residing at The Art Institute of Chicago. There's a quiet stillness to this drawing. It's a very detailed depiction of the animal, almost sculptural in its form, yet it still manages to capture something of its interior life. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, it's all about the curl, isn't it? The curl of the lion's body suggests slumber and peacefulness, that inherent sense of royalty just switched off for a time. I'm captivated by how Landseer uses graphite to create this tactile quality – I can almost feel the rough texture of his mane, even without the colours or physical sensation. It reminds me a bit of my old tabby, Clementine. Always imperious, unless napping. Do you think it has any romantic notions or symbols of royalty for the artist? Editor: Well, lions are often seen as symbols of strength and majesty, especially within the context of Romanticism. Landseer was only a teenager when he made this, wasn't he? Do you think the drawing also plays on that romantic vision? It has almost photographical details. Curator: Absolutely! I wonder, then, what Landseer wanted to convey? Was it a study of power in repose, a quiet subversion, perhaps? Or even a comment on man and beast's interconnectedness? It feels very grounded, though the subject is usually a grandiose, epic creature. Did that initial realism serve only for him to get past what was generally accepted for its symbolism, if any? Editor: It's funny how a simple drawing of a reclining lion can open up all these lines of questioning! I will certainly reconsider this in new ways! Curator: Me too! I'm going to name my next tabby Edwin! It has been quite fun speaking with you!