Heilige Franciscus temt een hyena 1723 - 1789

Editor: This engraving, "Saint Francis Taming a Hyena" by Jean Baptiste Marie Pierre, made sometime between 1723 and 1789, is captivating. The hyena appears so submissive. What cultural memory might this image evoke? Curator: Observe how the hyena prostrates itself before Saint Francis. The symbolism here isn’t simply about dominance, but the potential for harmony between humanity and nature. Hyenas, often associated with scavenging and death, take on a new meaning in contrast with Saint Francis and the narrative of forgiveness, humility and renewal, offering a new social and psychological message to contemporary audiences. Editor: Renewal through humility? I hadn't considered the hyena as representing something… broken. Curator: Think of the hyena as a representation of aspects within ourselves – our fears, aggressions, perhaps even the parts of society we deem undesirable. Francis’s gesture speaks to the possibility of integrating and transforming these aspects. What might the image convey to those struggling with feelings of otherness or societal exclusion? Editor: Perhaps it's a call for empathy, seeing the good in everyone, even the seemingly untamable? Curator: Precisely. Baroque art is so compelling when considering such transformations. We see conflict resolved and humanity affirmed, if not ideally practiced. It is a visualization of human potential, echoing through the ages and prompting reflections on our current challenges and perceptions of 'the other.' How does the act of taming itself symbolize the reconciliation of opposing forces, bridging divides, and prompting collective healing in times of social fractures and division? Editor: This piece really shifts how I think about the use of religious imagery! Curator: It's a potent example of visual communication that reaches far beyond its initial religious context, don’t you agree?