I wish I knew everything about this one but I don't. I know it lived in a New England collection for many years, the same collection as the 1817 Lady Justice watercolor listed today; I purchased both from relatives, and know this lion was the owner's favorite. No wonder! It feels to me more more like a work of a self-taught artist than a child, and a bit more "outsider" than "folk"--a visionary version of a lion, though very much in conversation with a whole history of folk art lions too. In any case, what eyes, and what lips, and what hair! (A bit of the Carol Channing of lions.) And what electric color. With very excellent treatment of the hair on the tail and cuffing the paws too. And then these two single flowers to either side and puffy clods overhead. Pastel, with a bit of a sandpaper-y texture to the surface it looks to me. Transcendently good!
25 1/8" x 18" framed as found, under glass. Professionally framed years ago by South Side Art Co. Chicago, with a sticker on the back of the frame--simple black stained wood frame. 2nd quarter 20th century is my guess. Some glare caught in photos, which don't do it full justice; very good vintage condition.
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