The Lyon (Recumbent Lion by a Pool)
George Townley Stubbs|George Stubbs, August 12, 1776
About this artwork
Behold *The Lyon (Recumbent Lion by a)*, a captivating mezzotint print created August 12, 1776, attributed to George Stubbs and son George Townly Stub. This third and final state of the edition measures 9 7/8 x 13 13/16 inches, showcasing a majestic recumbent lion lounging by a shimmering pool. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Elisha Whitt Collection, it exemplifies the Stubbs family's mastery in depicting wildlife with anatomical precision. George Stubbs, the renowned 18th-century British artist, was a pioneer in animal portraiture, blending scientific observation with artistic flair during the Enlightenment era. His studies of lions drew from live models and dissections, reflecting a growing fascination with natural history. Mezzotint, a technique involving roughening a copper plate for velvety tones and deep shadows, was ideal for rendering the lion's luxuriant fur, reflective water, and subtle musculature—creating a sense of serene power and realism unmatched in contemporary prints. This work highlights the era's intersection of art and science, where sporting art evolved into sophisticated naturalism. Visitors will appreciate how the Stubbs duo elevated printmaking, making grand animal subjects accessible beyond oil paintings, inviting us to ponder the wild's quiet dignity.