The Lion Dressed as King is Presented with a Bouquet of This 

Editor: Here we have an engraving by Wilhelm von Kaulbach titled "The Lion Dressed as King is Presented with a Bouquet of This." It’s based on an incident from "Reynard the Fox." The scene is busy, a little chaotic even, but the detail is fascinating. What stands out to you when you look at this work? Curator: Considering this print was produced during a time of burgeoning print culture, its accessibility to a broad audience becomes immediately important. Think about the impact of making satire readily available. How does this democratization of imagery alter social narratives? This engraving acts as a political cartoon; where is the true power held in society according to von Kaulbach? Editor: So, you’re suggesting it’s more than just a funny animal story? The lion certainly looks ridiculous, more pathetic than regal, propped up on that pillow. Curator: Precisely! The lion embodies authority, yet is utterly dependent on others, and perhaps being mocked by them. Who really holds sway? Is it the fox from the title, manipulating from behind the scenes, or is Kaulbach implicating a whole corrupt system of power and presentation for its own sake? The figures on the print certainly create that image. Editor: That really shifts my perspective. I was caught up in the comedic details, but the image comments on the performance of power and those controlling it! So, prints like this were a form of social critique. Curator: Absolutely. The beauty of prints is that they get dispersed. This piece would certainly open doors for dialogue and spread opinions rapidly during that time, particularly if social power wasn't distributed evenly. It’s no accident it illustrates *Reynard the Fox.* Editor: Thank you so much, Curator. I see how accessible prints influenced culture and provided an image of power dynamics and authority. Curator: A great reminder that art exists within – and acts upon – a wider social landscape.