Artwork
The Jealous Lioness
The Jealous Lioness is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Paul Meyerheim. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Städel Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894 by German painter Paul Friedrich Meyerheim, The Jealous Lioness is an oil on canvas that depicts a dramatic encounter between a woman and two captive lions. The composition centers on a black‑dressed figure with a green feathered shoulder ornament, reaching toward the mane of a snarling lion within a metal cage against a deep red backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a genre scene that juxtaposes human elegance with animal ferocity. The woman's gold‑embroidered attire and bracelets suggest wealth and status, while her daring gesture toward the growling lion conveys tension, perhaps alluding to themes of dominance, curiosity, or the peril of confronting untamed nature.
Technique & Style
Meyerheim employs a post‑impressionist palette, using bold, saturated colors, particularly the striking reds and greens, to heighten emotional intensity. The oil medium allows for rich texture in the woman's fabrics and the metallic cage, while loose brushwork captures the lions' musculature and the sense of movement in the woman's outstretched hand.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has remained in public collections, eventually entering the holdings of Frankfurt’s Städel Museum. The museum’s acquisition places the work among other 19th‑century German animal paintings, reflecting Meyerheim’s reputation as a specialist in wildlife subjects.
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