Lions after Rubens c. 19th century

Editor: This print, "Lions after Rubens" by Thomas Landseer, shows two lions, and the male's gaze is pretty intense. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This work embodies the complex colonial gaze of the 19th century, where animal representation often reflected human power dynamics. The lion, a symbol of British imperial power, is here, copied from Rubens, further embedding a narrative of dominance. Editor: So, the act of copying itself reinforces power? Curator: Precisely. Landseer appropriates Rubens’s vision, reinforcing a hierarchy. Think about how the "wild" is tamed through artistic representation, mirrored in societal structures of the time. Editor: That definitely gives me a different perspective. Curator: Considering the historical context, we begin to see these animals not just as artistic subjects, but as figures implicated in larger cultural narratives.