Untitled (lion holding St. Louis flag in its mouth) c. 1950

Editor: This photograph, attributed to Jack Gould, presents a lion holding a St. Louis flag in its mouth. The negative image enhances the surreal quality of the scene. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The lion, a symbol of strength and pride, juxtaposed with the St. Louis flag, evokes a complex cultural narrative. The flag itself, now held captive, speaks to ideas of civic identity and perhaps even captivity itself. How does the space around the lion affect your reading? Editor: I hadn't thought about the cage in the background adding to that. It is a powerful, unsettling image. Curator: Indeed. Symbols are rarely straightforward; they resonate with layers of meaning accumulated over time. Reflect on what symbols mean to you. Editor: I will. Thanks for shedding light on the cultural weight carried by the lion and the flag.