Livingstone and the Lion (David Livingstone)

Sitterback to top

• David Livingstone (1813-1873), Missionary and explorer. Sitter in 38 portraits.

Artistsback to top

• The London Missionary Society. Artist associated with 40 portraits.
• Unknown artist. Artist associated with 6232 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The life and work of David Livingstone, a set of forty lantern slides, reveals how the story of Livingstone's life was transmitted to later generations. This slide, in the words of the pamphlet that accompanies the set, shows Livingstone's 'wonderful escape from death in a lion encounter'. It transforms the relatively passive depiction of the famous incident in Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa' into a scene of high drama, with the lion leaping through the air on to a bloodied Livingstone.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Jeal, Tim; Calder, Angus; Driver, Felix; Cannizzo, Jeanne; Barringer, Tim; MacKenzie, John M., Livingstone: David Livingstone and the Victorian Encounter in Africa, 1996 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 22 March - 7 July 1996), p. 170

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Around the world
• Diversity
• Hats and head-attire
• Pets and animals