Pictured above is John Banovich‘s painting Partners, 2007, from the permanent collection of The James Museum in St. Pete, Florida.
From the museum and artist about the work-
Lions are most affectionate with their companions of the same gender. Male lions will change prides but stay with their coalition partners for their entire lives.
“There is no greater bond in the big cat world than between pride mates.”
– John Banovich
In honor of Leo season, here’s French artist Rosa Bonheur’s painting Crouching Lion, 1872, currently on view at Orlando Museum of Art.
From the museum’s information plaque-
Rosa Bonheur specialized in animal subject matter and was one of only a few women in the 19th century to achieve international success as an artist. She painted large-scale and complex compositions that were regularly exhibited in the prestigious Salon-the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.
Bonheur did many versions of lions at rest, alone or in groups. A number of these compositions were reproduced in popular engravings that helped give her work a large international audience.