Lion at Rest, Revelation 5:5 Linocut Style Wall Art

What is painted

The image is made in the manner of a linocut, with carved black lines, flat cream highlights and the slightly rough edges of a block print. A maned lion lies stretched along a broad rock ledge, front paws forward, head turned toward us. He is calm and watchful rather than fierce.

Behind him an ochre sun climbs over dark hills, its rays cut as short straight strokes, while long wind lines sweep across the sky. Beneath the picture, in heavy capitals: “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed”, and Revelation 5:5. Only three inks are used, black, cream and ochre, which gives it a strong, graphic look from across a room.

Who is the Lion of Judah?

In Revelation 5 John sees a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne, sealed with seven seals. No one in heaven or on earth is found worthy to open it, and John weeps much. Then one of the elders tells him to stop weeping, because the Lion of the tribe of Juda has prevailed to open the book.

Both titles reach back into the Old Testament. In Genesis 49 the dying Jacob calls his son Judah a lion's whelp, and says the scepter shall not depart from him. Isaiah 11 speaks of a rod out of the stem of Jesse and a root of Jesse, the family of King David. The elder is saying that the promised king from David's line has come.

The surprise follows in verse 6. John turns to look for a lion, and sees a Lamb as it had been slain. The victory of Christ is won through the cross. That is why the lion here can rest: the word “prevailed” is in the past tense.

For a study, a man cave or a confirmation

This Christian poster suits a man's office, a garage workshop, a teenager's bedroom or a pastor's study, anywhere a floral print would feel out of place. It is a popular Father's Day gift, and a strong choice for a confirmation, when a young person takes on the faith for himself.

As Christian wall art it is bold and uncluttered. Each print is produced to order in the US on thick archival matte stock, shipped free within the US, and delivered without a frame, with a paper margin around the design. Choose any size from 5x7 to 24x36, a metric or A size, or the digital file.