Lion and Serpent at The Louvre, Paris

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Human: An awe-inspiring figure of a wild roaring lion pins a snake to the ground with sheer force. Thrown head back, jaws wide open, the reptile hisses defiantly in return. Due to its extremely naturalistic rendering of both animals and the intense violence depicted, this sculpture sparked a massive controversy. The public and Romantics acclaimed it without hesitation. Conservative critics lamented that the Tuileries Gardens, the sculpture's future home, would be transformed into a menagerie. True to life Barye sculpted animals in an unprecedented manner. Firstly, they were the primary subject of his sculpture, not just mere accessories. Secondly, his interpretation was based on an exact and faithful analysis of nature. He aimed to convey an illusion of fur, lifelike movements, and the untamed character of the animals. The lion has genuine substance; one can feel the muscles rippling under his pelt. Alongside painter Delacroix, Barye spent countless hours studying, drawing, and even dissecting animals in the Jardin des Plantes. However, the sculptor was no slave to scientific knowledge: he recreated nature using the means of his art. He occasionally had to exaggerate a muscle, highlight modeling, and emphasize a line to give a true impression of life. Epic inspiration Barye instilled an epic dimension into this fight scene. He captured the moment when action seems suspended in time. A dramatic element is added as the two animals size each other up, anticipating the frenzied struggle that follows. Although the lion has the advantage, he remains vigilant, evident from the way he spreads his claws, the position of his tail, and his bristling mane. The tension reaches its peak. The snake, whose coiled head is thrown back, jaws wide open, is poised to strike at the lion's face. The lion's concentrated energy is set to respond: with puckered muzzle, furious eye, and forepaw forcefully pinning the reptile to the ground, his body becomes pure muscle. Both animals possess the power of life and death, which could not fail to captivate the Romantics. The size of the sculpture amplifies its impact. Monarchist symbolism The lion is the supreme example of a monarchic animal, a symbol of strength and courage. This sculpture thus also serves as a tribute to the July Monarchy and King Louis-Philippe, at a time when widespread discontent with the regime established after the July Revolution (1830) was prevalent. The king's accession to the throne took place under the constellations of Leo (the lion) and Hydra (the sea serpent). The sculpture therefore symbolizes celestial approval of this political shift.