The Lions
1860-1868
In this dramatic scene, a serene, haloed figure stands unharmed in a dark cave surrounded by massive lions, depicting the biblical story of Daniel in the Lion's Den. While the beasts on the right snarl and bare their teeth, they seem held back by an invisible force, perhaps the figure's raised hand of blessing. The ground is littered with skulls and bones, hinting at the grim fate of others who ended up here. François-Nicolas Chifflart, a master illustrator known for his work with Victor Hugo, captures the intense emotional drama of the Romantic movement here, using deep shadows to make the divine light of the central figure pop.