Engaged Capital with a Lion and a Basilisk

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Engaged Capital with a Lion and a Basilisk as sculpture (Northern Italy, Emilia (Bologna?), 12th century · 1175–1200).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

This capital depicts a struggle between the good lion and the evil basilisk, a legendary reptile from myth. While the artist would not have encountered the mythical serpent, it is likely he never saw a real lion either based on its cartoonish appearance in this sculpture.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this sculpture as marble.

The museum's collection notes: The basilisk is an imaginary animal, half cock and half snake. According to medieval bestiaries, the basilisk could kill merely by its glance. It was commonly held as the symbol of the devil to be trodden down by Christ, first at the moment of his incarnation and then again during the Last Judgment.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtEngaged Capital with a Lion and a Basilisk

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