Head of a Leopard

Harry King

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a carved wooden lion's head figurehead. The artwork features a detailed depiction of a decorative element resembling a stylized lion's head carved from wood. The lion's mouth is open wide as if roaring, and the mane flows down into a tapered, serpentine form accentuated by a pattern resembling scales. The texture and shading of the painting give the impression of depth and volume, mimicking the quality of carved wood. The background is plain, emphasizing the details of the carved figurehead. The style is detailed renderings of sculptural elements.