Lion c. 19th century

Curator: There’s a quiet intensity to this print, isn’t there? Editor: It does seem rather...contained. The lion, rendered by Thomas Landseer, is powerful but almost melancholic. Curator: Landseer, active in the 19th century, was known for his animal subjects. I'm particularly struck by the stark simplicity of this piece. No date is available for "Lion," but let's talk about the process of reproducing this image, the labor involved in etching. Editor: Yes, the fine lines, the shading—it speaks to a patient hand, to the craft, really. One wonders about the social role this image played, who consumed it and what it meant for them to possess a copy of such an animal. Curator: Indeed, the lion, a symbol of power and nobility, rendered accessible. I feel a quiet sadness there. Editor: It brings up the question of accessibility, and who has access to power in society. The lion becomes an object.