Lions c. 19th century

Editor: This is Thomas Landseer's "Lions," an engraving held at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels quite violent, this depiction of animal conflict. What strikes you about it? Curator: The power dynamic is certainly palpable. The piece invites us to consider the colonial gaze through which animals were—and often still are—viewed. Are they symbols of power to be conquered, or beings deserving of respect? Editor: I hadn't considered it in that context, but it makes sense. The lions are almost trophies here. Curator: Exactly. And how does this portrayal contribute to a broader narrative of dominance and control, both in the natural world and in human society? Editor: It definitely gives me something to think about, it's more than just an animal study. Curator: Indeed. Art provides a platform to interrogate these power dynamics and hopefully, instigate change.