A yak, A leucoryx before 1886

On this page, J. Fortuné Nott captures a yak and a leucoryx, likely within a zoological setting, with each animal presented starkly against a constructed backdrop. The yak, with its heavy coat, evokes a sense of endurance and wildness tamed. Its form echoes images of the Minotaur of ancient Crete: a beast held in captivity. The leucoryx, standing poised, presents us with an animal that has been seen in other contexts, such as the Unicorn. It is no longer the beast of legends, but is presented in a zoo. The image evokes a poignant comment on humanity's relationship with the natural world. These animals, symbols of power, are reduced to specimens within brick walls. Just as ancient cultures projected their fears and desires onto animal forms, we too, in our modern zoos, engage in a similar act of psychological projection. The impulse to collect and display, seen here, reflects humanity's attempt to impose order on the chaos of nature. The symbolism of these animals has continued to shape our collective consciousness.