Lion 1968

This is Graham Sutherland’s ‘Lion’, a print rendered in stark black and white. Sutherland was part of a generation deeply affected by the trauma of war. His artistic development was against a backdrop of immense social change and anxiety. This image isn't just a portrait of an animal; it's an exploration of power, vulnerability, and the gaze. The lion, a symbol of strength and dominance, is presented head-on, engaging us directly. Do you feel challenged? Intimidated? Sutherland plays with the conventional representations of the lion, asking us to consider the emotional and psychological dimensions of encountering such an iconic creature. The high contrast and close-up perspective intensify the emotional impact. Sutherland uses the animal to consider human conditions, suggesting our complex relationship with power and the natural world.