A Leopard and Two Lions
1597
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1597
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Leopard and Two Lions is a 1597 ink by Adriaen Collaert, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a leopard standing on a rock beside two lions—one lying down, one sitting. In the background, a village sits by a river, with people riding horses and tending to fields. Trees and rocky cliffs fill the scene, all drawn with sharp lines and shading. The artist used tiny parallel lines to build up shadows and texture, especially on the animals’ fur. This method makes the fur look thick and real. Look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved their designs into metal plates.
