Relationship of the human figure with that of the lionlion

Charles LE BRUN

On March 29, 1671, Le Brun gave his lecture on the relationship between human and animal physiognomies at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, in the presence of Colbert. The analogies between human and animal features, illustrated by a series of striking drawings, are the best-known aspect of the artist's theory, which he developed to include an interpretation of facial expressions—a subject that interested him greatly.

Relationship of the Human Figure with that of the Lion / Charles LE BRUN
© RMN-Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre) / Mathieu Rabeau

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