Leeuwenfamilie 1915

Editor: We are looking at “Leeuwenfamilie”, Lion Family, created around 1915 by Bernard Willem Wierink. It's a print using pen and drawing techniques, currently residing here at the Rijksmuseum. I’m struck by the protective air of the piece, the lioness and the lion overlooking their cubs. What do you make of this scene? Curator: It’s more than just a protective vibe for me. There's a tender awkwardness in how they are positioned, almost like a family portrait after an argument. The colors contribute - notice the unusual grays and browns. What stories do these tonal choices suggest about family dynamics, perhaps reflecting the world war era, which might affect your choices of colours? Editor: Interesting… So the colors aren't just aesthetic; they could be whispering about the artist’s world. Is there also some sense of scale in this image? Curator: Absolutely! The massive scale of the adult lions and delicate cubs creates a play of power and innocence. Consider the sweeping lines – do they offer movement, a direction the family follows? Does that influence how you consider the relationship between the figures, both their bond and their individual struggles? And why put them in a 'landscape'? Is it literal, or simply another colour? Editor: It makes me think about how family moves through changing times, their togetherness tested but never broken. Thanks, it definitely gives the piece more depth for me. Curator: Yes, indeed! It reveals the depth of what on the surface is merely 'figuration'. Art isn't about easy answers; it's about engaging with endless questions, wouldn’t you say?