Fresco in Pompeï, voorstellend dieren in het wild c. 1860 - 1900

This fresco from Pompeii, captured by Giorgio Sommer, presents a collection of animals frozen in an eternal tableau. Here we see the bull, the ibex, the lion, and the jackal – a bestiary that speaks to the Roman fascination with the natural world. The animals depicted carry rich symbolic weight. In antiquity, the bull was often associated with virility and power, while the ibex might represent wildness and untamed nature. The lion, a symbol of strength and nobility, is a recurring motif that appears across cultures, from the Near East to Europe. Consider its appearances on heraldic crests, and its relationship with royalty and divine authority, reflecting a deep-seated human respect for its primal power. These symbols evoke a sense of the subconscious, appealing to our most primal instincts and fears. The artist taps into a collective memory, reminding us of our connection to the natural world. This fresco reminds us that the life of images continues, with symbols resurfacing and evolving through time.