Fabel van de herder en de leeuw 1758

Here is the audio guide script for the artwork provided: This delicate fable etching was made by Johann Heinrich Meil. Here, the lion, a traditional symbol of power and royalty, faces a shepherd in distress. This motif of humans confronting beasts is rich with meaning. Consider the story of Daniel in the lion's den, a tale of faith overcoming the wild, or the Labours of Hercules, where the hero's strength is tested against mythical creatures. The motif speaks to our primal fears and the struggle to control base instincts, recurring across cultures from ancient Mesopotamia to medieval tapestries. The lion, once a symbol of raw power, evolves into a figure of nobility, even justice. Think of Aslan in Narnia, a benevolent ruler, far removed from the beast lurking in our subconscious. Here, the shepherd prostrate, a symbol of vulnerability, evokes feelings of empathy and fear, a powerful force engaging us. This interaction between man and beast highlights our continuous negotiation with nature and our inner selves. The symbols and their evolution reveal a cyclical progression of how we perceive power, fear, and ultimately, our place in the world.