Man met geweer zit op dode leeuw 1823 - 1873

Célestin Nanteuil created this print of a man with a rifle sitting on a dead lion in the 19th century. The dominant symbol here is, of course, the lion, traditionally signifying strength, courage, and royalty. Here, however, it lies defeated, its symbolic power inverted. Consider the ancient myth of Heracles slaying the Nemean lion, a tale of heroic triumph over primal forces. We see echoes of this motif throughout history, from Roman gladiatorial contests featuring exotic animals to Renaissance paintings depicting saints overcoming beasts. In Nanteuil's print, the man's pose exudes a quiet confidence, a taming of the wild. The image speaks to a deeper human desire to conquer nature and assert dominance over the animal kingdom. It evokes a sense of triumph. This recurring motif acts as a powerful psychological symbol, tapping into our primal instincts. This speaks to a collective memory deeply embedded in the human psyche, constantly evolving, resurfacing, and taking on new meanings with each retelling.