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Open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Starting June 3
Exhibitions & Events
Featured event:

Block Party
Join us June 6
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Lion Attacking a Stallion

late 16th or early 17th century

Antonio Susini, probably after a concept by Giovanni Bologna

Associated Names

Antonio Susini

Artist, Italian, active 1572, died 1624

Giovanni Bologna

Artist After, Flemish, 1529 - 1608

The sculpture shows a lion attacking a horse. The lion's mane is detailed and it has its claws embedded into the horse while its mouth is latched onto the horse's body. The horse is depicted in a moment of struggle, with its body twisted and head thrown back. The sculpture is a rich bronze color, creating a detailed and glossy appearance. Both the lion and horse are intricately detailed to highlight their muscular structure, strength, and movement. The sculpture is highly realistic with attention to the anatomy of the animals and the tension of the scene.

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Artwork overview

Medium

bronze
Credit Line

Gift of Robert H. Smith/Robert H. Smith Collection
Dimensions

height: 24.3 cm (9 9/16 in.)
Accession Number

2022.181.30

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1998

A Collector's Cabinet, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1998: no. 107.

Bibliography

1998

A Collector's Cabinet. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1998: no. 107.

2004

Radcliffe, Anthony and Nicholas Penny. Art of the Renaissance Bronze, 1500-1650. London, 2004: 155, 184-187, repro. no. 30.

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