[ The World Times ] The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope

French painter Henri Rousseau's jungle paintings often provoked criticism among art critics for featuring amateurish techniques and unusual compositions of his subjects. However, they also garnered significant attention for featuring rich colors and meticulous details. An oil on canvas painting titled The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope, created in 1905 and measuring 200 cm by 301 cm, is one of Rousseau's most famous jungle paintings known to include such features.

 

Following an oil on canvas painting titled Scout Attacked by a Tiger, produced in 1904, The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope is the second jungle painting that marked Rousseau's return to the genre of jungle painting after a decade-long hiatus. This break resulted from harsh criticism he received for his oil on canvas painting titled Tiger in a Tropical Storm, created in 1891.

 

As the title indicates, The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope portrays a hungry lion devouring an innocent antelope in the background of a lush jungle lit by the setting sun. The painting also shows other animals in the dense forest. Carefully watching the lion preying on the antelope, the panther seems to be waiting to claim the leftovers. An owl and a bird are also visible in the painting, with the two of them holding a strand of meat with their beaks. For depicting a scene of jungle savagery with rich colors and strong brush strokes, the painting was called "a cage of wild beasts," which eventually paved the way to the term "fauvism."

 

*antelope n. 영양(주로 아프리카나 아시아에서 볼 수 있는 사슴 비슷한 동물)

*provoke v. (특정한 반응을) 유발하다 / The announcement provoked a storm of protest. 

                   화나게 하다, 짜증나게 하다, 도발하다

                    / The lawyer claimed his client was provoked into acts of violence by the defendant.

*garner v. (정보, 지지 등을) 얻다, 모으다 (= gather, acquire)

               / The voluntary retirement and unpaid leave are part of measures to regain market confidence and garner support                         from creditors. 

*meticulous a. 꼼꼼한, 세심한 (=percise, detailed)

*genre n. (예술 작품의) 장르

*hiatus n. (행동의) 중단

                (특히 말이나 글에서 무언가가 빠진) 틈, 사이

*harsh a. 가혹한, 냉혹한 / The punishment was harsh and unfair. 

*devour v. (특히 몹시 배가 고파서) 걸신 들린 듯 먹다

*lush a. 무성한, 우거진

*dense a. 빽빽한, 밀집한

*leftover n. 남은 음식, 잔재(유물)

*strand n. (머리카락 등의) 가닥, 올, 줄

*beak n. (새의) 부리

*savagery n. 야만성, 흉포성, 야만적인 행위 (=violence)

*pave v. (벽돌 등으로) 포장하다

*pave the way (~을 위한) 길을 닦다, 상황을 조성하다 / This decision paved the way for changes in employment rights for women.