Koningen Hendrik II, Richard Leeuwenhart en Jan Zonder Land 1584

Hendrick Goltzius created this engraving of Kings Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, and John Lackland. Observe how each king bears a shield emblazoned with three lions, a symbol deeply entwined with English royalty. The lion, a potent emblem of courage and power, has ancient roots stretching back to Mesopotamian and Egyptian art. It evolved from a symbol of solar deities to royalty across cultures. Here, the English kings appropriate this visual vocabulary to amplify their authority and lineage. Note how Richard the Lionheart stands upon a defeated lion; he embodies the martial prowess suggested by the animal’s symbolism. Consider how such symbols persist and transform across time. This appropriation of animalistic power remains a potent force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with images laden with historical and cultural resonance. The cyclical progression of symbols like the lion underscores how images resurface, evolve, and adopt new meanings, forever weaving together past and present.