The Lion’s Den

Lions have been an enduring icon since the dawn of artistic expression. Throughout recorded history, the formidable beast has been a prevailing symbol; equipping artists, scholars, writers and religious institutions with the means to extract profoundly existential expressions of humanity.

In Jordan Richardson’s Sydney exhibition The Lion’s Den, the artist borrows from this history to deliver a collection of new paintings that are deeply personal and broadly empathetic; metaphorically grasping the birth of the artist’s first son. Each painting exemplifies the technical mastery that has seen Jordan Richardson recognised as one of Australia’s most talented young painters.

Throughout his career, Jordan Richardson has pursued the contemporary emulation of 18th century European painting. His works are a pastiche of Baroque and Romantic influence, present-day narrative and good humour. For Richardson, the act of painting itself also drives his work, as does the contemporary subversion of famous paintings in history.

Much like his 2022 Archibald finalist painting Venus (in which Diego Velázquez’s 17th century painting The Rokeby Venus is reinterpreted as the nude writer and commentator, Benjamin Law), The Lion’s Den borrows directly from historical art examples. Notes of Delacroix’s mid 19th century series The Lion Hunt inspire the collection, while Goya’s influence is especially evident in the gruesome, yet tenderly painted pictures of male torsos.

The Lion’s Den is an exhibition that is endearing, vulnerable and violent all at once, demonstrating Jordan Richardson’s special talent for distilling volumes of art, history and personal account into small parcels of delightful visual poetry.