The Pearl of the Boar, from The Kingdom of the Pearl 

Edmund Dulac’s illustration pulses with primal energy. We see turbaned hunters in pursuit of a boar, accompanied by swift leopards. This scene evokes ancient royal hunts, where the power of man is displayed over nature. The boar itself is a potent symbol, linked to strength, virility, and untamed wilderness. Think of the Calydonian Boar of Greek myth, or the Erymanthian Boar, whose capture was one of Hercules' twelve labors. In both, the boar is a symbol of primal chaos, representing the triumph of civilization over the wild. Across cultures, the hunt is a recurring motif. Consider the Assyrian reliefs depicting royal lion hunts, where the king's strength mirrors his ability to govern. Dulac echoes this, but the presence of leopards hints at a deeper, more luxurious interpretation of this power dynamic, recalling the exoticism of the East. The primal and ancient symbols present engage our collective subconscious, resonating deeply with our own primal instincts and memories.