This lioness protecting her newly-born cubs or whelps, a Christian symbol of motherhood, protection, strength and the kingly power of Jesus Christ, is amongst the late 14th century and 15th century frescoes decorating the ribbed ceiling vaults of the 12th century cloister adjoining the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta at Bressanone Brixen, South Tyrol, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy.
Bressanone-Brixen, South Tyrol, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy: a lioness protecting her litter of newly-born cubs is amongst the late 14th century and 15th century frescoes decorating the ribbed ceiling vaults of the medieval cloister adjoining the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Lions and lionesses have long featured in Christian artistic tradition. The Lion of Saint Mark is the emblem of the gospel writer St. Mark the Evangelist, and male lions were seen to represent strength, majesty, fortitude and power - particularly the kingly power of Jesus Christ. Female lions were often used to convey virtues of motherhood and protection. Some depictions may also relate to the ancient belief that lion cubs were born dead and could only be brought to life after three days by their father’s roar. It was also widely believed that lions slept with their eyes open - like Jesus in his tomb before the Resurrection. The original cloister at Bressanone-Brixen was rebuilt after a fire in 1174. Its earliest frescoes were painted in Late Gothic Style around 1390 by a group of artists active throughout this mainly German-speaking region. Later Renaissance frescoes in the cloister are either solo work by 15th century painter and sculptor Lienhart Scherhauff (also known as Leonhard von Brixen or Leonardo da Bressanone), or are by his studio, which produced fresco cycles for churches throughout South and East Tyrol. The spa city of Bressanone-Brixen was founded in 901 AD, becoming the seat of powerful Prince Bishops whose influence forged links between southern Germany and northern Italy. South Tyrol became part of Italy after the 1914-18 First World War.
Size: 4288px × 2848px
Location: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Bressanone-Brixen, South Tyrol, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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