Leeuwen Possibly 1915

Bernard Willem Wierink made this print of two lions sometime in the late 19th century. The muted palette and careful mark-making evoke a sense of quiet power. It’s a good example of how artmaking is a process of layering and refining. The textures in this piece are so interesting. The way Wierink uses the medium to create shadows and highlights gives the lions a real sense of depth and weight. Look at the details in the face of the larger lion. The subtle variations in tone make the animal seem to breathe. I always wonder about the tools artists use. Was it a fine brush? A stylus? The beauty of art is in these mysteries, these little secrets embedded in the surface. Wierink clearly knew his stuff, and you can see echoes of earlier animaliers like Delacroix in his work. Art is always in conversation with the past, a constant exchange of ideas and forms. And like all great art, this print leaves room for our own interpretations, our own experiences.