Leeuwenjacht 1644 - 1702

This anonymous engraving depicts a lion hunt and speaks volumes about the cross-cultural fascinations and power dynamics of its time. Equestrian figures dressed in what appears to be Turkish and Roman attire are actively hunting lions and leopards. This image, created in a period of burgeoning global trade and colonial expansion, exoticizes the "Orient" while simultaneously showcasing European military prowess. The figures in Turkish dress are rendered with a certain stereotypical flair, their turbans and clothing acting as signifiers of a foreign, and perhaps dangerous, world. The hunt itself becomes a stage for asserting dominance, not just over the animals, but also over the cultures they represent. This print then, isn’t just about the thrill of the hunt; it's about visualizing a world where cultural identities are performed and power is constantly negotiated. What does it mean to stage such a scene, and for whom?