Guarding Lion in Gliwice, Bronze sculpture in Gliwice, Poland
The Guarding Lion is a bronze statue in Gliwice that depicts a lion in an attentive, protective stance. The figure shows fine craftsmanship in the mane, musculature, and facial expression that emphasize a realistic portrayal of the animal.
Theodor Kalide, an artist trained at the Royal Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin, created this work during his time as a sculptor in Silesia. The bronze statue was made during an era when public animal sculptures were widespread in European cities.
The sculpture shows a lion in an alert stance and embodies the strength and dignity valued in European sculpture for centuries. Visitors see in the animal's watchful pose a symbol of protection and vigilance, typical of public monumental art in this region.
The statue stands at a central location in Gliwice and is easily accessible by public transportation. The location allows visitors to view the work at leisure and take photographs from different angles.
The work belongs to a series of animal sculptures designed as conceptual counterparts, showing how the artist captured opposing states of nature in bronze. This artistic strategy of expressing complex ideas through paired figures was characteristic of Kalide's body of work.
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