The ibex before 1869

This photograph of an ibex, by Arthur Lucas, showcases a motif with roots stretching far back into human history. The horns of the ibex, prominently displayed, are a key symbol. In ancient cultures, horns were often associated with power, virility, and divine authority. Think of the horned gods and goddesses of antiquity, from the Egyptian Hathor to the Celtic Cernunnos. The ibex itself, as a creature dwelling in remote, mountainous regions, carries an aura of untamed wilderness. It echoes the Dionysian spirit, representing instinct, strength, and a connection to the primal forces of nature. But consider how the meaning shifts when the ibex becomes a hunting trophy, mounted on a wall. The horns, once symbols of life and power, now represent dominion and control. It is a symbol of the hunt, of the taming of nature, and of human power over the animal kingdom. This photograph, in capturing the animal in this form, freezes a moment in this cyclical process, where symbols are continuously reborn.