De Vlaamsche Leeuw 1914

Willy Sluiter created "De Vlaamsche Leeuw", or "The Flemish Lion", in 1914 with lithography on paper. The lithographic crayon lays down a lovely velvety texture, and the colours are muted, like a memory. The lion itself is so evocative, its fur built up with short, scribbly marks, conveying a real sense of its mass and power. There's a sketchy quality, a sense of immediacy, as if Sluiter was trying to capture a fleeting expression. Look at the lion’s face; its weary gaze hints at the weight of responsibility and the gravity of the times. The figures are similarly rendered, with loose strokes defining their forms. This reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, another artist who wasn't afraid to use her work to make a statement about the world. Ultimately, art is about dialogue, and this print speaks volumes about courage, resilience, and the complex emotions stirred by conflict.