Lion walking 1866 - 1897

Charles Courtry created this etching titled "Lion walking." Courtry was a student of Édouard Manet, who, along with other artists and writers, frequented the Guerbois café. This café became a crucible of radical ideas that aimed to challenge the rigid norms of the French Salon system. During this time, there was a burgeoning interest in animal representation. Artists looked for ways to depict animals beyond traditional allegorical uses. Courtry's "Lion walking" captures the spirit of these explorations. Look at the lion’s dynamic movement and palpable energy. His work doesn't just represent an animal; it seems to embody raw power and untamed freedom. Courtry's etching invites us to reflect on how we perceive and represent the natural world. It asks us to consider our relationship with the animal kingdom, and the emotions and ideas we project onto these creatures.