Lion Lying Down 1915

This is Edvard Munch's "Lion Lying Down," a drawing done with charcoal, or something similarly smudgy. You can tell he's working it, rubbing it in, really using the process to get at the form. I love the simplicity here, how Munch captures the essence of the lion with such immediacy. Look at the way he uses the side of the charcoal to create broad, shadowy areas, then switches to a sharp point for the details of the face. The texture is built up, layer upon layer, creating a sense of depth and volume. There's something so vulnerable about the way the lion is sprawled out, so different from the usual majestic depictions. It's like Munch is revealing a hidden side of this powerful creature. It reminds me a little of Delacroix’s animal studies, the way he used quick sketches to capture the vitality of his subjects. But Munch brings his signature angst to the piece, doesn't he? It's not just a lion; it's a lion burdened by the weight of existence.