Three Lion Heads
1649
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1649
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Three Lion Heads is a 1649 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows three lion heads drawn in quick, scratchy lines. The top two faces are small and stacked, while the biggest one sits below, its mouth open as if roaring. Fur is drawn with swirling strokes, giving it a wild, textured look. The artist used a technique that lets ink fill the lines, making the fur look fuzzy and alive. This kind of drawing was common in the 1600s for studying animals up close. Check out etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
![The Flight into Egypt [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/3a100db72e6d25e3/thumb.webp)
