Artwork
Den of Lions
Den of Lions is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Den of Lions is an oil painting attributed to the artist known as 1899_person, dating from around 1750. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of animal genre painting from the mid‑eighteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents several lions gathered within a shadowy interior that suggests a cave or den. The animals assume varied postures—some upright, others reclining or moving forward—conveying a sense of alertness and latent tension, as if the beasts are awaiting an unseen presence.
Technique & Style
A pronounced chiaroscuro effect dominates the composition, with stark contrasts between illuminated forms and deep darkness. This manipulation of light and shade creates volumetric depth, guiding the eye toward the central figures and enhancing the atmospheric mood of the enclosed space.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1750, the painting entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings through acquisition records that trace its ownership back to private collections in the 19th century. Its attribution to 1899_person aligns with the artist’s known interest in dramatic lighting, a hallmark of their broader oeuvre.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
