Dear Readers, there are many depictions of lions that make them look every bit as magnificent as they are in real life (such as those by Landseer at the bottom of Nelson’s Column) but I have to say that the ones in Ravenna largely looked about as terrifying as golden retrievers. Take this one, outside the Archiepiscopal Museum. He looks a bit like I do when I’m summoning up the strength to blow out my birthday candles (well, there are quite a lot of them these days). Sadly I can’t find out any more about him, but in truth he’s probably scarier than the lion on the plinth next to him.

Oh bless! This one looks as if he’s taken his dentures out. I rather want to pat him on the head.

Jesus from the Chapel of St Andrew at the Bishop’s Palace (6th Century)

On the other hand, lions don’t always have a good time in Ravenna (as you can see from this mosaic of Jesus treading on one), so maybe that’s why they like to keep a low profile. It’s all a bit confusing as the winged lion is the symbol of St Mark, and of Venice (the Venetians ruled Ravenna rather later on in history) so it’s one of those examples of an animal that changes its meaning according to context.

St Mark with his lion from St Vitale in Ravenna (Photo by Lawrence OP from https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/14001748412)

But finally, I must include my favourite lion of all time. He stands outside the Arsenale in Venice, and is originally from Delos in Greece. The body dates back to the sixth century and the head was added later. Maybe he was originally a dachshund?

So, do you have a favourite statue, particularly an ‘unconventional’ one? Do share!