Design for a Frame with Two Compartments and a Crowned Lion 17th century

This design for a frame with two compartments and a crowned lion was rendered anonymously in ink on paper. The drawing presents us with a decorative structure, bisected to create dual spaces, each bordered by ornate embellishments. The crowned lion, regal yet recumbent, dominates one compartment, while the other is adorned with floral and foliate motifs. This juxtaposition of royal symbolism with natural elements invites questions about power, nature, and the spaces they occupy. It reminds me of the societal structures that often confine us and the narratives they perpetuate. Are we looking at a celebration of established hierarchies, or a subtle commentary on their limitations? As you consider this design, think about how the tension between confinement and freedom, between the wild and the cultivated, resonates with your own experiences.