Head of a Lion 1824

Editor: This is John Frederick Lewis's "Head of a Lion," and I'm struck by the almost melancholic expression. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The lion, a symbol of power and royalty, is here rendered with a surprising gentleness. What cultural narratives do you think Lewis is playing with by softening this typically imposing figure? Editor: Perhaps a critique of dominance, or even a romanticising of nature? Curator: Precisely. And consider the symbolic weight of the lion throughout history, from ancient Egypt to British heraldry. How does Lewis's image challenge or reinforce those established meanings? Editor: It definitely makes me think differently about how we project our ideals onto animals. Curator: Indeed. It’s a potent reminder that images are never neutral; they carry the echoes of our shared past.