Man die met een leeuw vecht, detail beeldhouwwerk, Persepolis, Iran c. 1880 - 1910

This photographic detail by Antoine Sevruguin captures a sculpture from Persepolis, Iran, illustrating a man wrestling a lion. The motif is a powerful representation of royal authority and courage, deeply rooted in the ancient Near East. The struggle between man and beast is a recurring symbol, echoing themes of order over chaos. Think of Gilgamesh and Enkidu battling Humbaba, the guardian of the Cedar Forest, or similar scenes in Mesopotamian cylinder seals. The hero subduing the lion is a potent display of strength, a tradition carried through millennia. This imagery taps into our collective consciousness, embodying a primal struggle. The emotional intensity of this conflict, the tension between control and wildness, continues to resonate, reminding us of the eternal human desire to overcome our fears and master our environment. This motif, endlessly evolving, persists as a testament to enduring cultural memory.