The lion becomes the king of beasts 1900

William Wallace Denslow created this illustration with ink on paper. Note how the image is partitioned into three distinct color fields: the light ivory background that contrasts with the ochre block and the tan lion. Denslow's formal construction creates a composition that is visually simple, but conceptually complex. The lion, delicately rendered with fine strokes and cross-hatching, faces an ochre block which dominates the frame. By positioning the lion on the periphery and directing its gaze towards the vacant block, Denslow destabilizes our expectations of visual and narrative focus. The crown and bow on the tail are semiotic elements that subvert the traditional symbolism of power. Denslow transforms the lion into a symbol that questions established hierarchies and fixed identities. Through this lens, Denslow invites us to consider how power is constructed, performed, and ultimately, destabilized through the use of such visual cues.