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umetnica — Fable - The Sick Lion 2
Published: 2007-11-21 09:22:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 5041; Favourites: 39; Downloads: 1185
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Description
A Lion, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so by artifice. He returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be publicly known. The beasts expressed their sorrow, and came one by one to his den, where the Lion devoured them. After many of the beasts had thus disappeared, the Fox discovered the trick and presenting himself to the Lion, stood on the outside of the cave, at a respectful distance, and asked him how he was.“I am very middling,” replied the Lion, “but why do you stand without? Pray enter within to talk with me.”
“No, thank you,” said the Fox. “I notice that there are many prints of feet entering your cave, but I see no trace of any returning.”
Done in ink, watercolor, etc
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Comments: 8
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i like aslana1's comments. time to draw them up as a third panel
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I'm actually impressed by the means this picture uses to reflect the story. It invites interpretation by the viewer.
The cave is hung with stalactites representing the lion's teeth - reminding the reader of the fate of the animals foolish enough to enter, and confirmed by the rotund figure of the reclining lion.
It is appropriate that the lion - a fat glutton - is right at the center as the protagonist, and a good choice by the artist to have two light sources: the cave opening, and some cracks in the ceiling above the lion to illuminate his hugely gorged belly. Animal bones thrown closest to the lion's backside are just perfectly tongue-in-cheek.
There's a vulgar humor here in that this lion has such a swollen gut - you can almost hear the animals sloshing around inside. For the viewer, the lion's belly looks bigger than the fox and the cave entrance - an enhancement of the lion's ravenous character. Another humorous touch: the lion's coy facial expression, as if turning away from the fox and covering his face would hide his bloated bulk. Lion, you are shameless - you can't get the fox but maybe you can waddle down to the creek for a drink - something to help you belch and digest.
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Your interpretation makes me smile. Thank you for noticing all that.
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Beautiful, as always. I love this fable by the way....
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Thanks! It's a good story.
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