GONTCHAROVA - LE LION ANGLAIS - Lot 158

GONTCHAROVA - LE LION ANGLAIS Natalia Sergeyevna GONTCHAROVA (1881-1962) The English Lion - 1914 Pencil and watercolor on paper. Monogrammed lower left (in Cyrillic). 20.5 x 29 cm - Certificate from Jean Chauvelin dated July 21, 2007 - Certificate by Denise Bazetoux dated February 7, 2009 Note: this subject also relates to the artist's Jewish identity, and could be linked to the symbolism of the lion in the Torah. Indeed, the lion characterizes the guardians of the Torah, often depicted in embroidery on sefer robes or synagogue entrance doors. These same lions carry the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Here, then, we present a work with a double reading, which could have a sacred character.