Who painted The Animal Laocöon?

The Animal Laocöon was painted by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein in 1796.

Where can I see The Animal Laocöon?

The Animal Laocöon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Animal Laocöon?

The Animal Laocöon is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of The Animal Laocöon?

Museum-quality prints of The Animal Laocöon are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Animal Laocöon

Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein , 1796

The Animal Laocöon is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, a German artist of the late 18th century, produced the print The Animal Laocöon in 1796. Executed as an etching on wove paper, the work presents a densely packed, nocturnal landscape populated by a lion, serpents and a small dog, all ensnared among twisted vines and jagged rocks.

Subject & Meaning

The composition alludes to the myth of Laocoön, the Trojan priest who was strangled by sea serpents, but replaces human figures with animals. By substituting the tragic human scene with a lion besieged by snakes and a vulnerable dog, Tischbein amplifies the sense of helplessness and primal struggle inherent in the ancient story.

Technique & Style

Tischbein employed the etching process on smooth, wove paper, allowing for fine, dark lines that convey the tangled mass of creatures and vegetation. The print’s heavy cross‑hatching and rough textures create a stark contrast between illuminated animal forms and the shadowy, craggy background, enhancing the overall tension of the scene.

History & Provenance

Created during Tischbein’s mature period, the work reflects his engagement with classical themes popular among German intellectual circles of the time, notably the Goethe‑influenced circle that gave him his nickname. The print has remained within collections that focus on 18th‑century German graphic art, illustrating the artist’s continued relevance to studies of neoclassical printmaking.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein

Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein, known as the Goethe Tischbein (15 February 1751 – 26 June 1829), was a German painter from the Tischbein family of artists.