The Thibetan Lynx before 1869

This is Arthur Lucas's photogravure of 'The Thibetan Lynx', found within a book, likely made in Britain during the late 19th century. The image, with the lynx posed aggressively atop a rocky outcrop, invites us to consider Victorian attitudes toward the natural world and imperial power. During this era, Britain was deeply involved in colonial expansion, including explorations of Tibet. Natural history became a popular science, with the upper class hunting exotic animals as a hobby. This image plays into those colonial dynamics. It offers a glimpse into the 'untamed' wilderness of Tibet, while subtly reinforcing British dominance over it through the act of documentation and display. The lynx, posed in this way, becomes a trophy, symbolizing control over nature and distant lands. Understanding such an image requires us to delve into the social history of British colonialism and the institutional development of natural history.