"This old court apparently has an old falcon..." from Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals 1832 - 1852

This lithograph, by J. J. Grandville, presents a satirical character from his series "Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals". Here, a figure with the head of a falcon is dressed in the attire of a distinguished gentleman. The falcon, historically a symbol of nobility and keen perception, here seems to be a commentary on the aristocracy. Consider how the image of a falcon has journeyed through time. In ancient Egypt, it embodied Horus, the god of kingship, representing power and protection. Yet, observe its transformation; Grandville cleverly uses this symbol to embody the detached, perhaps predatory, nature of the ruling class in 19th-century France. There's a palpable tension in the image. It reflects a collective anxiety about social structures. The imposing falcon-headed figure unconsciously evokes questions about authority and its justification. The image invites us to reflect on how symbols persist, adapt, and resurface, carrying echoes of past meanings into new contexts.