Leeuw kijkt omhoog 1729

Bernard Picart created this print called 'Leeuw kijkt omhoog' or 'Lion Looking Up' some time between 1683 and 1733. During this period, the Western world’s colonial expansion led to increased encounters with exotic fauna, often fueling both scientific curiosity and artistic representation. The lion, a recurring symbol in art, here gazes upward, perhaps seeking something beyond its immediate confines. Picart’s choice to depict the lion in this way challenges traditional representations of power and dominance, inviting us to consider themes of longing or curiosity. How does it feel to look up? How often do we consider what is above or beyond ourselves? The print resonates with a sense of yearning. It prompts questions about the gaze, freedom, and the boundaries that define both the animal and human experience.