I created this ambitious work a year after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and after the publication of the impressive images of Venice and many other cities, empty because of the lock-down to contain the contagions. The lion is a symbol of strength and courage, and I believe it was the most appropriate animal to associate with these events. With strength and courage each one of us has or still has to face the consequences of this pandemic, we are all lions! This is a picture for all mankind, united in one purpose.

Venice is taken as the background, not only because its images during the lock-down were particularly striking, but because the symbol of this city is in fact a lion! The lion of the patron San Marco even has wings. In this imaginary vision of mine, the wings of St Mark’s Lion are impersonated and replaced by a bird itself, a herring gull. Thus, another common and iconic animal of the Venetian lagoon enters the scene, a cunning, intelligent and absolutely adaptable bird, all virtues that many of us have had to rediscover in order to overcome this emergency in the best possible way.

The original oil painting is no longer available, but I am available to paint similar works on commission. Please send me your request on the Contact page.

Technique: Oil on Canvas

Dimensions: 64 x 84 cm and 4 cm deep, including a natural wooden box-frame.

Year: 2021

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