Tiger 

Antonio Ligabue rendered this image of a tiger with an assertive mix of media—the paper, the colored pencils—that lend the scene both vulnerability and ferocious energy. The tiger, with its snarling mouth and predatory stance, embodies a primal force that captivates across cultures and epochs. The tiger's symbolism as a formidable power can be traced back through ancient mythologies, from the far East to the Roman Empire, often associated with royalty and dominance. Think of the tiger hunts depicted in Roman mosaics, symbols of imperial power over the natural world. The tiger embodies strength, but also the untamed instincts lurking beneath the surface of our civilized facades. Ligabue's tiger, set against a dense, almost claustrophobic jungle backdrop, speaks to our deep-seated fascination with the wild, the untamed aspects of nature and ourselves. This image taps into a collective memory, reminding us of the raw, unfiltered power that continues to resonate within the human psyche. It is a visceral reminder of the continuous dance between control and instinct, civilization and wilderness, echoing through the ages.