On Order of the Lion, a Piece of Skin is Taken from the Bear, A Piece of the Front Paws of the Wolf and a Piece from the She-Wolf's Hind Paws are Skinned from Hendrick van Alcmar's Renard The Fox 1650 - 1675

Allart van Everdingen made this print, "On Order of the Lion," likely in the mid-17th century, illustrating an episode from the popular medieval fable "Reynard the Fox." The image depicts a crude form of justice being meted out in the animal kingdom, a thinly veiled allegory for the social hierarchies of Everdingen’s time. Made in the Netherlands, the print reflects the period’s fascination with moralizing tales, often used to critique the powerful. Note how the artist uses the animal figures to satirize human behavior, with the fox embodying cunning and the lion representing authority. The presence of a castle in the background suggests the physical and institutional structures that uphold this social order. Understanding this print requires us to consider the social and political climate of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by both prosperity and stark social inequalities. Through careful analysis of such visual and literary sources, we can uncover the complex interplay between art, power, and social critique.