Lions Based on Biblical Source Material
The most common type of art that lions appeared in was in Biblical art. Looking at the stories of Daniel, Samson, and St Jerome, the depictions of them all include lions as a major part of the image. These types of images were more common earlier in the seventeenth century than depictions of the individual creatures.
The lions in these artworks serve a plot purpose, and their facial features depict the roles that they play. In Samson Rending the Lion, the lion appears with a gaping jaw, showing off his teeth to appear vicious. In contrast, in the artworks depiciting St Jerome, the lions all appear passive, and either are lying down or standing in a calm manner.
Artworks
This 1634 etching by Rembrandt depicts St Jerome sitting with a large book open on his legs. There is a small lion below him in the image plane. The etching uses shadows and highlights to illuminate both figures, and have them stand out from the background.
This print was bequeathed to the British Museum in 1868 by Felix Slade.
This print features St Jerome sitting in the background of the image at an illuminated desk. A lion and a dog rest in the foreground. The natural light is portrayed in the artwork by a lessening of the engraving marks, to create a lighter area on the print.
This print was donated to the British Museum by Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode in 1799.
This print is the fourth state of the etching. St Jerome is seated to the right of a Pollard tree, writing in a book. The head of a lion appears to the left of the tree. The Pollard has the largest amount of darkness and etching lines in the artwork, and the background is minimal.
This print was bequeathed to the British Museum by Clayton Mordaunt Cracherode.
The engraving features the biblical story of Daniel in the Lion's den. Daniel is seen sitting, looking up at an angel carrying in Habakuk, who has food for him. The lions are seen looking and laying around Daniel peacefully.
This engraving is number one of three.
In this woodcut, Dürer portrays his scene with excruciating detail. The lion is depicted as a wild beast, with its sharp teeth and flowing mane. Samson is aged but strong, and he appears focused in his task. The woodcut has a detailed background, featuring a castle, a town on the water, and countless flora.
This woodcut is currently in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it was donated by Georgiana Sargent in 1924.