Daniel in the Lion's Den

This 20 × 28 inch oil painting by Stephen Kwan is a bold cubist reinterpretation of Briton Rivière’s 1872 masterpiece Daniel in the Lions’ Den. Drawing inspiration from Picasso’s Cubist language, the work fractures form and space into angular planes, transforming a classical biblical scene into a strikingly modern visual meditation on faith, courage, and divine protection.
 
The lions—rendered through geometric facets and restrained earth tones—appear powerful yet restrained, their potential violence held in tension. Daniel stands composed and still, his simplified, monumental figure contrasting with the dynamic fragmentation around him. The cubist structure amplifies the psychological drama: strength versus surrender, fear versus trust. Subtle references to ancient stone reliefs in the background reinforce the timelessness of the narrative, bridging antiquity with modern abstraction.
 
Painted in oil with deliberate brushwork and sculptural depth, this updated interpretation honors the original while offering a fresh theological and artistic perspective. The piece is available as fine art paper and canvas prints, making it suitable for collectors, churches, and contemplative spaces seeking a meaningful fusion of classical subject matter and modern expression.