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Art Inquiry: Daniel in the Lions’ Den
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Peter Paul Rubens, Daniel in the Lions’ Den (about 1613)
Daniel was forced to spend the night in the lions' den because he refused to worship the Persian king Darius.

Learn more about this work of art by answering the multiple-choice questions below. Mouse over the image for clues!

1. The lions look . . .

  1. Very real
  2. Not very real
  3. Like stuffed animals
  4. What lions?

2. Why is Daniel in the cave?

  1. He did not want to worship the king.
  2. He fell in.
  3. He is studying den life.
  4. He was taking shelter from a storm.

3. What clue does the artist use to show that Daniel is in danger?

  1. Sleeping lions
  2. Bones and skulls
  3. A patch of blue sky
  4. Daniel is crossing his legs.

4. What is Daniel doing?

  1. Thanking God
  2. Asking the lions to spare him
  3. Waking up from a nap
  4. Counting the cracks in the ceiling

5. How many lions are in the painting?

  1. 7
  2. 8
  3. 9
  4. 10

6. How does the artist draw your eye to Daniel?

  1. All of the lions are looking at him.
  2. He is in the center of the painting.
  3. He sits on red and white cloths.
  4. He is not looking at the viewer.
 
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Sir Peter Paul Rubens, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, c. 1613/1615, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund