Marble Lion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, July 2007

Marble lion
Greek, Attic, mid-4th century BC

Accession # 09.221.9

The sphinxes and other animals that guarded tombs in the archaic period tend to convey immobility and permanence. In classical lions, however, movement is implicit: they appear to be watching, lying in wait, preparing to spring. With the suggested potential for imminent motion comes a concomitant emphasis on the animals' strength and litheness. The lion here looks to his left, as we anticipate the movement of his muscles and of the tufts of his mane when he takes off after his prey.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.