A leopard and leopardess with their cubs at the entrance of a cave

Tischbein’s interest in the animal world resulted in a large number of studies and more finished, independent works, mounted for presentation or direct sale, such as the present example. Many of these were based on direct observation at the zoo in Kassel. Other examples from a private collection were dispersed in on 22 January 2003 in these Rooms (lots 130-176). A typical feature of all of them is the character and humanity the artist imparted to his subjects, inspired as he was by the physiognomic theories of Johann Kaspar Lavater.