The Lion and Horse 1777

Benjamin Green produced this mezzotint titled ‘The Lion and Horse.’ During the late 18th century, artists like Green grappled with themes of empire and control through dramatic depictions of the animal kingdom. What does it mean to see this conflict staged between a lion and horse? The lion, a symbol of British imperial power, is here locked in mortal combat with a terrified horse. The horse, often a symbol of freedom and wildness, is here being viciously subjugated. How might the image resonate with the political tensions of the time, particularly the American Revolution? The print invokes not just physical struggle, but also the psychological dimensions of domination and resistance. The horse's eyes, wide with fear, invite us to consider the emotional and personal cost of conflict. 'The Lion and Horse’ creates a space to consider the cost of empire, asking us to reflect on who benefits, who suffers, and what is lost in the pursuit of power.