Le Lion et le Rat / The Lion and the Rat

1989
oil on canvas
81 x 100 cm
signed and dated 'W Aractingii 89' (lower right)

NOT FOR SALE
Provenance

The Artist's Estate

Condition Report
There are no obvious condition concerns. For a full condition report please email service@artscoops.com.
Location

Beirut, Lebanon

Shipping
  • Ships in up to 14 business days.
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST


About this artwork

Le Lion et le Rat

Il faut, autant qu'on peut, obliger tout le monde:
On a souvent besoin d'un plus petit que soi.
De cette vérité deux fables feront foi, Tant la chose en preuves abonde.
Entre les pattes d'un lion,
Un rat sortit de terre assez à l'étourdie.
Le roi des animaux, en cette occasion,
Montra ce qu'il était, et lui donna la vie.
Ce bienfait ne fut pas perdu.
Quelqu'un aurait-il jamais cru
Qu'un lion d'un rat eût affaire?
Cependant il advint qu'au sortir des forêts
Ce lion fut pris dans des rets, Dont ses rugissements ne le purent défaire.
Sire rat accourut, et fit tant par ses dents
Qu'une maille rongée emporta tout l'ouvrage.


Patience et longueur de temps
Font plus que force ni que rage.

The Lion and the Rat

It's well to please all people when you can;
There's none so small but one his aid may need.
Here are two fables, if you give good heed,
Will prove the truth to any honest man.
A Rat, in quite a foolish way,
Crept from bis hole between a Lion's paws;
The king of animals showed on that day
His royalty, and never snapped his jaws.
The kindness was not unrepaid;
Let, who'd have thought a lion would need aid
From a poor Rat?
Soon after that
The Lion in the forest brake,
In their strong toils the hunters take;
In vain his roars, his frenzy, and his rage.
But Mr. Rat runs up; a mesh or two
Nibbles, and lets the Lion through.


Patience and length of time may serve;
What strength and empty wrath could never.

BUY
ARTSCOOPS LEADS YOU INTO THE MENA ART SCENE
An immersive experience of proximity and excitement, accompanied by service of exceptional quality, adapted to meet your needs

BUYING
SELL
BRING THE MENA ART MARKET TO LIFE
Sell your own works or works from your collection with Artscoops


SELLING
Venice vibe proves perfect for rising star Lana Khayat’s city debut
The Lebanese-born artist is now set to show her most abstract and intricate work to date at Abu Dhabi Art Lana Khayat’s first art exhibition in Venice inevitably delivered a multitude of memorable moments, but perhaps one of the more unexpected ones was the sense of belonging she felt on arriving in this magical global art hub.“When I landed in...
— Read the full interview
The strength of soft power
The British-Iranian art collector Mohammed Afkhami hopes that a new, not-for-profit, free-to-use virtual museum of contemporary and modern Iranian art will offer an alternative perspective and broaden the narrative on Iran, away from the headline news.  From bridging cultural divides to providing fascinating insights into societal developments,...
— Read the full interview
A convergence of a rich past and creative present
Contemporary creativity will once again meet inclusivity and serendipity in a historic setting, when ‘Forever is Now III’, Art D’Égypte’s most ambitious project to date, opens on the Giza Plateau. Work by SpY, photo credit AFPArt enthusiasts from all walks of life will once again have the opportunity to savour an incredible selection of...
— Read the full interview
A historic setting for pushing artistic boundaries
With two groundbreaking curatorial focuses, a landmark outdoor exhibition and a list of galleries that includes 21 first-time participants, the 2023 edition of Contemporary Istanbul, on the Tersane, once again challenges the traditional art fair format, as its Chairperson Ali Güreli explains.This year marks the 18th edition of Contemporary...
— Read the full interview
A contemporary perspective on an age-old African custom
In ‘Dancing Around the Fire’, Artscoops’ latest online show, co-curator Hyacinthe Kouassi draws on his childhood memories to explore the impact of new technology on traditional practices. Hyacinthe with a work by Jules DissoHyacinthe Kouassi is known for putting storytelling at the heart of his art projects, so it should come as no surprise that...
— Read the full interview
On people, places and perceptions
The Lebanese multi-disciplinary artist Carol Hobeika talks to Artscoops about the intense need she feels to ensure audiences feel as involved in her work when experiencing it as she did when creating it.Carol at ‘The City and I’ exhibition at the SursockDid you know from an early age that you wanted to become a visual artist?Definitely not - in...
— Read the full interview
Sign in to your account to get exclusive access to new works, receive personalised experiences and place bids.

Forgot your password?