Focus on Lion Attacking a Dromedary and analyze the Exhibition in Pittsburgh.
In 1898, Lion Attacking a Dromedary was sold to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History for $50 (equivalent to $1,759 in 2022) and cost $45 (equivalent to $1,583 in 2022) to be shipped to Pittsburgh due to the diorama's size. The work was considered to be "too theatrical" to be displayed at the American Museum of Natural History. The next year, Frederick Webster restored the diorama. During Webster's restoration, the museum made several changes. Due to a crack in the camel's neck, the position of the male figure was changed to be off of the saddle as is seen today. The museum purchased an Arabian flintlock long gun from an antiques dealer in Pittsburgh and added it to the piece at this time.After the restoration, the piece went on display. From 1899 until 2016, Lion Attacking a Dromedary was shown at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in five different locations around the museum. Early labels for the piece showed the dramatic stories that could be written about it instead of the educational value. In the 1980s, it was moved to the Hall of African Wildlife where it was shown with traditional natural dioramas. In 2009, the museum made a snow globe depicting the group. Instead of the traditional snow, the museum had gold leaf pieces to make it look like the figures were in a sandstorm.
sandstorm Carnegie Museum of Natural History diorama Dromedary gold leaf American Museum of Natural History flintlock snow globe