The Lion at Exeter ‘Change

Editor: Here we have John Flaxman's "The Lion at Exeter 'Change," a pencil drawing held at the Tate. It’s very faint, almost ghostly. What symbols and meaning do you see in this simple sketch? Curator: The lion, often a solar symbol, embodies strength and royalty across cultures. Flaxman likely encountered this specific lion at the Exeter Exchange menagerie. Editor: A real lion? Curator: Yes. Its captivity transforms the lion from a symbol of freedom to one of subjugation, perhaps reflecting societal control over the natural world. Does that shift your perception? Editor: Definitely, I hadn’t considered that. Now I see a commentary on power and constraint, rather than just a majestic beast. Curator: Precisely. The image holds layers of meaning, depending on context and cultural memory.