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Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": A Lion Tearing at a Sack is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

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Artwork

Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": A Lion Tearing at a Sack

Stephen Gooden , 1933

Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": A Lion Tearing at a Sack is a print by Stephen Gooden. It dates from 1933 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1986.139.4
Credit line: Gift of Elizabeth Carroll Shearer in memory of her husband Robert Lundie Shearer

About this work

Overview

Stephen Gooden’s 1933 black‑and‑white print, titled Illustration for “Peronnik the Fool: A Lion Tearing at a Sack,” is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. The composition captures a lion in mid‑action, its mane rendered in tight curls, as it claws at a sack that appears to be spilling its contents onto a textured ground.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a lion, named “Peronnik the Fool,” confronting a sack with its front paws. The animal’s head is lowered, concentrating on the bag, suggesting a narrative moment of curiosity or mischief. The title hints at a humorous or allegorical tale, inviting viewers to consider the folly implied by the creature’s frantic effort.

Technique & Style

Gooden employs precise line work and chiaroscuro shading to convey the lion’s musculature and fur texture. The contrast between the dark outlines and lighter areas creates a sense of depth, while the rough, stippled ground adds visual weight. The print’s stark monochrome palette emphasizes the drama of the scene without reliance on colour.

History & Provenance

Created in 1933, the illustration was acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its inclusion in the museum’s print collection reflects Gooden’s reputation as a leading British engraver and illustrator of the early twentieth century, and the piece exemplifies his work for literary publications.