Leeuwen en leeuwinnen 1581 - 1600

This anonymous engraving features lions and lionesses, symbols resonating deeply through history. The lion, often hailed as king of beasts, embodies courage, nobility, and power. We see these majestic creatures in repose and at play, a display of strength tempered with familial tenderness. Consider how the lion motif appears across cultures. In ancient Egypt, the lioness was a fierce protector, a symbol of royal power in the form of Sekhmet. Yet, the Christian tradition reframes the lion as a symbol of Christ and the resurrection. Here, observe the lion playing with a sphere. This recalls the symbolic representations of power and dominion seen in royal portraiture throughout the ages. Such images, passed down through history, shift in meaning. The emotional power of these symbols engages viewers on a subconscious level. Notice the cyclical progression of these symbols, resurfacing and evolving, taking on new meanings in varied historical contexts. The lion, eternal, reappears in our collective consciousness.