Who painted The King of Beasts?

The King of Beasts was painted by Nicolaes de Bruyn in 1594.

Where can I see The King of Beasts?

The King of Beasts is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The King of Beasts?

The King of Beasts is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The King of Beasts

Nicolaes de Bruyn , 1594

The King of Beasts is a print by the Renaissance artist Nicolaes de Bruyn. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a lion-like creature sitting on a rock, surrounded by smaller animals—a baby, a dog, a bear, and a goat.

This black-and-white print shows a lion-like creature sitting on a rock, surrounded by smaller animals—a baby, a dog, a bear, and a goat. The big cat holds a staff topped with a crown, while the others gather around it, some looking up. Trees and flowers fill the background, but the whole scene is drawn in sharp, dark lines.

The lion’s crown and the animals’ mix of calm and attention suggest this isn’t just a random group. The date "1594" is stamped at the bottom, hinting at a story behind it.

Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see this print in person.

Overview

Nicolaes de Bruyn’s 1594 engraving, titled *The King of Beasts*, presents a dominant feline figure perched on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by a collection of smaller animals. Rendered in stark black‑and‑white line work, the composition includes a lion holding a staff crowned at its tip, while a pup, a bear cub, a goat and a young lion observe the scene amid foliage and blossoms.

Subject & Meaning

The central lion, equipped with a crowned staff, functions as a visual emblem of authority, suggesting a hierarchical order among the gathered creatures. The juxtaposition of calm and attentive postures among the surrounding animals hints at a symbolic narrative—perhaps an allegory of rulership, natural hierarchy, or moral instruction common in late‑sixteenth‑century emblematic art.

Technique & Style

De Bruyn employs precise, dense hatching to achieve strong contrasts and a sense of volume, distinguishing his work from his uncle Abraham’s more delicate approach. The engraving shows the influence of Lucas van Leyden through its intricate detailing and dynamic arrangement, yet retains a personal vigor in the bold line work and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow.

History & Provenance

Born in Antwerp and trained under his uncle, de Bruyn later worked in the Dutch Republic, where he developed his own engraving idiom. *The King of Beasts* entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains accessible to scholars and visitors, providing insight into the artist’s late‑sixteenth‑century output and the cross‑regional exchange of print culture.