Bronzen leeuw van Miller tentoongesteld op de Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations van 1851 in Londen 1851

This photograph by C.M. Ferrier & F. von Martens captures the bronze lion exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. Consider the materiality of this sculpture. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, and its use here is a deliberate nod to classical sculpture. However, it was produced in an era of industrialization. Casting bronze involved skilled labor and specialized workshops, reflecting the division of labor characteristic of industrialized society. The lion's powerful stance and detailed musculature underscore the technological prowess of the Victorian era, a time of unprecedented industrial expansion and colonial ambition. The Great Exhibition was held in the Crystal Palace and intended as a showcase for Britain's industrial and imperial might. This bronze lion invites us to consider how materials, processes, and context intertwine to shape our understanding of art, challenging conventional boundaries between fine art, craft, and industry.