Naive 19th Century American Oil Painting of Lion, Leopard and Goat Vytlacil drawing There in one small surface

There in one small surface chip on one of the handles mid-way down

so I am confident 1882 is the date of its making

So Japanese--maybe 1980s or so

refunded immediately after purchase

Signed Olin Dows

Naive 19th Century American Oil Painting of Lion, Leopard and Goat Vytlacil drawing There in one small surfaceMy very favorite thing about this painting is the last thing I noticed: the completely flattened goat upon which the lion stands. The way that it is painted makes the goat appear rather more like a symbol than an actual thing, and as the goat typically symbolizes vitality and boundless energy, it makes sense that its role here be most important as a handy convenient stepping stone for getting a better look at whatever's out there in the distance! Hard