ticketsMember | Make a donation

The Lyon and the Kid, from Ogilby's Aesopics

ca. 1668
Not on view
England's first native book illustrator and professional etcher, Francis Barlow is best remembered for his accomplished depictions of animals and birds. This design relates to an etching, one of a group of fifty commissioned by the enterprising publisher John Ogilby to illustrate fables in the manner of Aesop. In the related story, the humble goat remains safely on a hill and resists the enticements of the kingly lion, who secretly wishes to eat him. The moral of the tale suits the tumultuous politics of the period: "Better be Captain in the smallest Fort, Than be commanded in a Princes Court."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Lyon and the Kid, from Ogilby's Aesopics
  • Artist: Francis Barlow (British, Lincolnshire ca. 1626–1704 London)
  • Date: ca. 1668
  • Medium: Recto: pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over graphite
    Verso: black chalk preparations
  • Dimensions: sheet: 9 15/16 x 7 5/16 in. (25.3 x 18.5 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Phyllis Lambert, 1954
  • Object Number: 54.645.1
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
The Angler and the Little Fish, from Aesop's Fables
Francis Barlow
18th century
Portrait of James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Bucceleuch, illegitimate son of Charles II on Horseback
Multiple artists/makers
1665–75
The Dog and Ox, from Aesop's Fables
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1760
The Cock and the Precious Stone, from Aesop's Fables, Francis Barlow British, Etching
The Cock and the Precious Stone, from Aesop's Fables
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1760
The Lyon and the Kid, from Ogilby's Aesopics, Francis Barlow British, Etching
The Lyon and the Kid, from Ogilby's Aesopics
Multiple artists/makers
1668

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.