Una And Lion From Spensers Faerie Queene Briton Riviere (1840-1920)

The composition presents a young woman standing calmly in what appears to be a woodland setting. She is positioned centrally within the frame, her posture suggesting both serenity and authority. A large lion rests its head upon her arm, exhibiting a remarkable degree of docility that contrasts sharply with the animal’s inherent nature. To the left of the central figures, a lamb frolics in the foreground, adding another layer to the symbolic interplay at work.
The woman is clad in a flowing, simple gown of pale cream or white, which emphasizes her purity and innocence. Her gaze is directed downwards, conveying a sense of humility rather than dominance despite her control over the lion. The artist has rendered her features with an idealized beauty, typical of allegorical representations.
The lion’s posture reinforces this theme of controlled power. Its mane is meticulously detailed, suggesting both strength and majesty, yet its head rests submissively against the womans arm. This juxtaposition creates a visual paradox: a symbol of untamed ferocity willingly yielding to gentle restraint. The lamb, positioned in opposition to the lion, further amplifies this contrast between wildness and domesticity, aggression and gentleness.
The background is rendered with a looser brushstroke, depicting dense foliage and suggesting depth within the forest. Light filters through the trees, illuminating the central figures and creating a sense of ethereal beauty. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones – greens, browns, and golds – which contribute to the overall feeling of natural harmony.
Subtextually, this scene likely explores themes of virtue triumphing over vice, or perhaps the power of compassion to tame even the most primal instincts. The woman’s calm demeanor and the lions submission suggest a moral victory achieved through gentleness rather than force. The presence of the lamb reinforces notions of innocence and divine grace. It is plausible that this work intends to portray an allegory about inner strength, self-control, or the potential for harmony between seemingly opposing forces.