A Man under a Tree Bitten by a Lion while his Horse Escapes 1692

Mathias Füssli the Elder created this pen and ink drawing, "A Man under a Tree Bitten by a Lion while his Horse Escapes," sometime in the first half of the 17th century. The drawing encapsulates the cultural anxieties of its time. Made in Switzerland, this piece reflects a society grappling with the themes of human vulnerability and the unpredictable forces of nature. The image presents a man attacked by a lion while his horse flees; the scene speaks to the precariousness of human existence but also references traditional religious ideas about divine punishment. Füssli's work invites us to consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. It is through historical records, theological texts, and studies of artistic patronage that we come to understand the cultural milieu that gave rise to such potent imagery. Art provides a lens through which we can examine and critique the institutions and social structures of the past.