Leeuw en leeuwin in een dierentuin in Londen c. 1875 - 1900

This photograph, by Thomas James Dixon, captures a lion and lioness in a London zoo. Symbols of power and courage, lions have long gripped the human imagination. Consider the lion's imposing presence throughout history – from the roarsome Nemean lion slain by Heracles, to the regal beasts guarding ancient Egyptian tombs. Lions have served as emblems of strength and dominion across cultures and epochs. Yet, behind bars, these majestic creatures evoke a poignant paradox: their power is diminished, their freedom curtailed. Even in captivity, the lion retains a powerful aura, engaging our deepest subconscious. This image of a lion and lioness, side-by-side, also hints at themes of partnership and shared existence, yet it also evokes feelings of confinement. It is a powerful and somewhat disturbing image of nature, tamed and confined. As this symbol of strength evolved from a deity symbol to the circus arena, we see the cyclical nature of image appropriation and adaptation.