Liggende leeuw 1894

Joseph Schippers created this print of a resting lion using etching. We can assume this image was produced in the Netherlands sometime in the first half of the twentieth century. The lion is a powerful symbol, associated with royalty, strength and courage. Its meaning can vary, however, depending on cultural and historical contexts. In 19th and 20th century Europe, depictions of lions frequently appeared in zoos, menageries, and natural history museums, reflecting a growing scientific interest in the natural world, but also a desire to dominate it. Zoos provided entertainment and reinforced human dominion over nature. In this context, Schippers' image of a resting lion could be seen to symbolize the ambivalent attitude toward nature that was emerging in Europe at the time. Art historians use a variety of sources to interpret works like this, including period publications, scientific literature, and social histories. By understanding how images of animals circulated in different contexts, we can better understand their social and cultural meanings.