Daniel in the lion's den has been an artistic subject for hundreds of years.  Take a look at some of the art works while you think about the story.  The high quality photos may take a moment to load.

Daniel in the Lions Den, mezzotint by J. B. Pratt, with hand colouring, pub. by Thomas Agnew and Sons, 1892

Art Process: Mezzotint is an old method of printing art using metal plates with lots of tiny dots.  This was was then colored by hand.

Look at this work of art about Daniel in the Lion’s Den.  Where is the darkest part of the art?  Where is the lightest part of the painting?  Is Daniel’s face in the light or in the darkness.  Are the lions in the light or in the darkness?  A few of the lions are looking into the light.  What is the facial expression on those lions?  What is the artist trying to say with his use of light and dark?

What does Daniel's body language say?  Why does he have his back to the lions?  Daniel looks older in this art.  Did you think of Daniel as an older or younger man?  What does the body language of the lions say?

Daniel in the Lions' Den, oil painting by Sir Peter Paul Rubens around 1615 AD

Compare this painting to the previous artwork.  What's different about the body language and expression of Daniel? Is Daniel confident in God?  What do you think about this younger version of Daniel compared to the older one?

What's different about the body language and expression of the lions? 

What emotions do you feel from this art?  How does this artist's message differ from the previous one?  Which do you prefer?