Head of a Lion (Wild Animal) Playing Cards

This design features a painting by the French artist Théodore Géricault (1791–1824). It is a close-up study of a lion's head. The wild animal's head is rendered sensitively and accurately in profile. The creature has a steady gaze and its ears are pricked up. Its mouth is closed and its whiskers can be seen on its cheek. The lion's fur is a beautiful combination of orange and white. Its nose is black. Lions belong to the big cat (Felidae) family and some large males weigh over 250 kg. The animals can be found in the wild in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Lions are often called the "king of the beasts", and they are seen to represent human virtues such as courage and fortitude. This artwork was originally painted in 1821, and it is now housed in the Louvre, an art gallery in Paris, the capital city of France.