Resting Lions 1913

Wilhelm Kuhnert painted these resting lions in oil. I love how Kuhnert uses these warm, golden tones to capture the light hitting the lion’s mane; it’s so tactile, you can almost feel the sun on your skin. The paint handling is interesting here too. He’s not afraid to let the brushstrokes show, creating a sense of texture and depth. Look at the way he’s built up the layers of paint in the foreground. Those little dabs and strokes of ochre and brown give the impression of dry grass and earth. It’s almost like he’s sculpting the surface of the canvas. I’m reminded of the way that Courbet used his palette knife to create those really physical, almost sculptural surfaces. Both artists show an interest in the materiality of paint, and its potential to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere. This piece really speaks to the enduring appeal of animal subjects in art, and the way that artists can use paint to capture the essence of a creature. It's a conversation that continues to evolve.