Weather Vane

John Davis

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a scene of a horse-mounted figure engaging in combat with a lion. The central figure holds a club raised above its head. The figure is adorned with a headdress and a short skirt. The figure's skin is reddish-brown, while the hair and other elements feature natural tints. The horse is captured in a spirited pose with strong facial features and a flowing mane and tail. The lion is in a fierce attack stance, reaching up to place its paw on the horse's flank. The sculpture is crafted from a material giving it a grayscale appearance, likely stone, with both the horse and lion depicted in shades of gray. The detailing emphasizes their muscular build and nature. The composition captures the intensity of the confrontation with naturalistic details and dynamic forms conveying motion and drama.