Recumbent Lion
19th century
Antoine-Louis Barye, often dubbed the 'Michelangelo of zoology,' had a fascination with the raw power of the animal kingdom, and this sketch captures a rare moment of calm. The lion lies in a 'couché' pose, its heavy mane rendered with scratchy, energetic lines that hint at the wild beast beneath the relaxation. As a key figure in Romanticism, Barye preferred untamed nature over classical ideals, often creating drawings like this as preparatory studies for his famous bronze sculptures. You can almost sense the coiled energy in those front paws, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
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