Young Durjan Sal Slays a Lion c. mid 18th century

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we find "Young Durjan Sal Slays a Lion," of unknown date, by an anonymous artist. It’s a painting proper, about 50 by 54 centimeters. Editor: What strikes me is the raw, almost primal energy. The lions, though not fully rendered, exude a palpable sense of power and danger. Curator: The unfinished quality is interesting; it reveals the labor and processes behind its making. The lines, the layering—it’s all there, exposed. Editor: The lions themselves carry such symbolic weight. In many cultures, they represent courage, royalty, and strength. To see them depicted in such a state is quite compelling. Curator: I’m drawn to the material itself. The paper, the pigments—what were the social conditions of their production and consumption? How did that contribute to the artist's process? Editor: I see them as archetypes—the hero, the beast, the forest. This image feels older than its materials might suggest; it taps into something primal. Curator: It really makes you consider the labor, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, and the power of symbols, which endure.