The Bear Beseeches the Lion for Justice c. 1645 - 1656

Allart van Everdingen created this etching, "The Bear Beseeches the Lion for Justice", in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-17th century. Here, animals stand in for human social actors and, in doing so, reveal something about the political realities of Dutch society. The fabular quality of the scene, with its organized hierarchy of animals, raises questions about justice and power. Notice how the lion, a traditional symbol of royalty, sits in judgment over the other animals. The bear's plea suggests a world where the powerful are appealed to for fairness, yet the presence of foxes and other predators hints at inherent corruption. The choice of an animal allegory allows Everdingen to subtly critique the social order of his time. The etching invites us to consider the nature of authority, the possibility of true justice, and the ways in which societal structures can be both upheld and undermined. To fully understand Everdingen's work, one might delve into the political pamphlets and popular literature of the Dutch Golden Age, which often used allegory to comment on contemporary issues.