The artwork titled “Slave and Lion” was created by the artist Xu Beihong in the year 1924. This piece belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is classified within the genre of genre painting.
The artwork depicts a dramatic scene where a lion and a man, presumably a slave, are in close proximity within a cave. The lion, illuminated by light pouring in from outside, appears dominant and alert, emphasizing its powerful presence. Contrastingly, the man is positioned in shadow, seemingly recoiling in fear against the cave wall, signifying vulnerability and tension. The backdrop features lush, verdant foliage bathed in sunlight, enhancing the stark contrast between the external world and the cave’s darkness. The interplay of light and shadow not only heightens the drama of the moment but also underscores the themes of captivity and confrontation present in the artwork.
