Ziet welk een verschrikkelyk beest / er eens in Frankrijk is geweest 1836 - 1849

This print, made by D. Lijsen in Amsterdam, depicts a fearsome beast that once roamed France, a monster embodying the turmoil of its time. See how the dragon, marked with spots of red, white, and blue, the colors of the French Revolution, dominates the scene, a symbol of chaos. Such monstrous figures aren't confined to this period alone. The dragon motif, a composite of various animals, stretches back to ancient mythologies. Consider its likeness in the Babylonian Tiamat, a primordial chaos dragon, or the serpent Apophis in Egyptian lore. Over time, this symbol has undergone transformations, sometimes representing destructive forces, other times serving as guardians. Think, for instance, of the dragon in medieval heraldry, a figure both feared and respected. This print taps into our collective psyche, stirring primal fears and anxieties. The dragon's presence is a potent reminder of the destructive potential inherent in revolutionary fervor, engaging our emotions on a subconscious level. Thus, the image encapsulates a moment in time, but also connects to a longer history of symbolic representation.