Cybele, Goddess of Civilization, from the Goddesses of the Greeks and Romans series (N188) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This small chromolithograph of Cybele, Goddess of Civilization, was issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as part of a series on Greek and Roman goddesses. The visual field is dominated by a central figure who exudes a composed beauty, standing in contrast with the raw power of the lion at her side. The goddess is adorned with symbols of authority: a crown, an ornamented bracelet and a scepter, which underscore her dominion. The lion, traditionally a symbol of untamed nature, is here subjugated, serving to emphasize Cybele’s role as a civilizing force. The lines are crisp, and the rendering precise, yet the composition does not aim for depth, instead it emphasizes surface and contour. This piece employs a semiotic structure where each element functions as a signifier. The goddess and her attributes serve as a tableau of power, evoking broader cultural narratives about the relationship between civilization and nature. In this context, the artwork prompts us to question fixed meanings and explore the narratives encoded within these historical representations.