Cybele on Chariot Drawn by Lions

Art Historical Context

This elegant pen-and-ink drawing by John Vanderbank portrays the Roman goddess Cybele, often revered as a mother figure and protector of nature, riding triumphantly in a chariot drawn by lions. Created in 1738, work reflects the 18th-century British fascination with classical mythology, where artists reinterpreted ancient stories to explore themes of power, fertility, and divine authority. Vanderbank, known for his contributions to tapestry design and book illustration in early Georgian England, employs fluid pen strokes and subtle brown ink washes on cream laid paper to convey motion and energy within a compact format. The medium, typical of preparatory studies of the period, allows for expressive line work that captures the lions’ strength and the flowing drapery of Cybele’s robes. Measuring just over eight inches tall, this intimate piece from the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection invites viewers to appreciate how such drawings served as vital steps in developing larger compositions, bridging ancient myth with the artistic sensibilities of the Enlightenment era.