British Lion Collection

The Wicker Man (1973) UK Quad Artwork
British Lions artwork for the UK release of The Wicker Man, starring Christopher Lee as Lord Summerisle and Ed Woodward

Ce malheureux lion finissant par ne plus faire peur à personne!, 1864. Creator: Cham
Ce malheureux lion finissant par ne plus faire peur a personne!, 1864. Series: Actualites; Periodical: Le Charivari, Wednesday, August (?) 1864

Yorktown, 1781. Creator: Anon
Yorktown, 1781

State of the English Nation [Toestand der Engelsche Natie], ca. 1780. Creator: Anon
State of the English Nation [Toestand der Engelsche Natie], ca. 1780

Orage causepar l Impot sur le Theen Amerique, ca. 1775. ca. 1775. Creator: Anon
Orage cause par l Impot sur le The en Amerique, ca. 1775

Mal Lui Veut Mal Lui Tourne Dit Le Bonne Homme Richard, ca. 1780. ca. 1780. Creator: Anon
Mal Lui Veut Mal Lui Tourne Dit Le Bonne Homme Richard, ca. 1780

The Tea-Tax-Tempest, or Old Time with his Magick Lanthern, March 12, 1783. March 12, 1783. Creator: Anon
The Tea-Tax-Tempest, or Old Time with his Magick Lanthern, March 12, 1783

State of the English Nation, ca. 1780. ca. 1780. Creator: Anon
State of the English Nation, ca. 1780

State of the English Nation, August 1, 1778. August 1, 1778. Creator: Anon
State of the English Nation, August 1, 1778

The Harmless Necessary Cat. Punch, 2 October 1907, 1907. Private Collection

Bonaparte in trouble, 1815 (hand-coloured engraving)
AQS331998 Bonaparte in trouble, 1815 (hand-coloured engraving) by American School, (19th century); 24.7x36.3 cm; American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts

"No Mistake!"(engraving)
2777095 " No Mistake!" (engraving) by Tenniel, John (1820-1914) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: " No Mistake!" Cartoon, 25 November 1876)

The Death of the Property Tax!! or 37 Mortal Wounds for Ministers
2490533 The Death of the Property Tax!! or 37 Mortal Wounds for Ministers and the Inquisitional Commissioners, pub. 1816 (hand coloured engraving) by Cruikshank

The State of the Nation, Disraeli measuring the British Lion (engraving)
2777179 The State of the Nation, Disraeli measuring the British Lion (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The State of the Nation)

The British government authorising the Rothschilds to buy out shares of the Suez Canal
5307242 The British government authorising the Rothschilds to buy out shares of the Suez Canal. by Tenniel, John (1820-1914); (add.info)

The British Lion (engraving)
1611800 The British Lion (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The British Lion. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 22 May 1875)

Preparing for the Pantomime at Drury Lane (engraving)
1606888 Preparing for the Pantomime at Drury Lane (engraving) by Cleaver, Ralph (fl.1902); Private Collection; (add.info.: Preparing for the Pantomime at Drury Lane)

Sketches on Board the Tantallon Castle (litho)
1628273 Sketches on Board the Tantallon Castle (litho) by Forestier, Amedee (1854-1930) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches on Board the Tantallon Castle)

Sketches at the Royal Review on Saturday Last (engraving)
1622148 Sketches at the Royal Review on Saturday Last (engraving) by Courbould, Alfred (fl.1831-75); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches at the Royal Review on Saturday Last)

An Hieroglyphic for 1830, pub. 1830 (hand coloured engraving)
4071324 An Hieroglyphic for 1830, pub. 1830 (hand coloured engraving) by Heath, William (1795-1840); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Sketches in the Crowd on the Day of the Shahs Arrival in London (engraving)
1105417 Sketches in the Crowd on the Day of the Shahs Arrival in London (engraving) by Barnard, Frederick (1846-96) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The British Lion, 1872. Creator: Gustave Doré
The British Lion, 1872. From, " LONDON. A Pilgrimage" by Gustave Dore and Blanchard Jerrold. [Grant and Co. 72-78, Turnmill Street, E.C. 1872]

An Hieroglyphic for 1830, pub. 1830 (hand coloured engraving). Creator: William Heath
An Hieroglyphic for 1830, pub. 1830 (hand coloured engraving)

The Death of the Property Tax!! or 37 Mortal Wounds for Ministers and the Inquisitional Commissioners, pub. 1816 (hand coloured engraving)

The Red-Tape Tangle, 1888. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Red-Tape Tangle, 1888. The Great British Lion roars out his distress, tied down as he is by red tape and officialdom. There were many complaints at the time that the increasing amount of red tape

After the Jubilee, 1887. Artist: Joseph Swain
After the Jubilee, 1887. In a companion cartoon to that issued on 18th June 1887, the British Lion has to come back to reality after the celebration of Queen Victorias Golden Jubilee

The British Lion Prepares for the Jubilee, 1887. Artist: Joseph Swain
The British Lion Prepares for the Jubilee, 1887. The British Lion prepares himself with great care to take part in Queen Victorias Golden Jubilee celebrations

No You Don t!, 1885. Artist: Joseph Swain
No You Don t!, 1885. The British Lion warns the Russian Bear not to cross over into Afghanistan, seen in the distance in this cartoon

My Boys!, 1885. Artist: Joseph Swain
My Boys!, 1885. The British Lion watches with pride the young troops sent to help Britain by Australia, Canada and New Zealand

Why Should England Wait?, 1884. John Bull, the representative of the British people, urges the Liberal Prime Minister, Gladstone, to unmuzzle the British Lion

A Mutual Understanding, 1883. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Mutual Understanding, 1883. The British Lion, clutching a bag of money, is seen negotiating with the foxy M de Lesseps. This relates to an ongoing discussion concerning the Suez Canal

The Lions Just Share, 1882. Artist: Joseph Swain
The Lions Just Share, 1882. The British Lion stands proudly on his Egyptian captive. He is watched by Italy, a French poodle, the Russian Bear, Spain, Germany and the two headed eagle of Austria

Not Loose Yet, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain
Not Loose Yet, 1870. The British lion keeps a watchful eye on the Russian bear. The bear is shown gnawing at the sturdy rope that shackles him to the Treaty of Paris

Friends or Foes?, 1876. Artist: Joseph Swain
Friends or Foes?, 1876. The British Lion, travelling, meets the Russian Bear, who is armed, at the crossroads. This relates to the recent conflict between Turkey and Bulgaria

Disinterested Advisers, 1875. Artist: Joseph Swain
Disinterested Advisers, 1875. Turkey is surrounded by Disinterested Advisers in the shape of the Russian Bear and the Eagles representing Austria and Germany

Who Will Rouse Him?, 1859. The British Lion rests quietly against a wall whilst the three most prominent politicians advocating parliamentary reform prod him with reform spears

Westminster Abbey, London, England
Royal coat of arms over north entrance of Westminster Abbey, London. Digital photograph

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"The British Lion: A Symbol of Power, Satire, and National Identity" The iconic image of the British Lion has been used throughout history to represent the strength and influence of the United Kingdom. From its appearance in The Wicker Man (1973) UK Quad Artwork to political cartoons lampooning slavery in German colonies during the late 19th century, this majestic creature has always held a significant place in British culture. In historical prints like "Orage causepar l Impot sur le Theen Amerique" and "Mal Lui Veut Mal Lui Tourne Dit Le Bonne Homme Richard, " we see how artists cleverly incorporated the British Lion into satirical pieces commenting on taxation and colonial conflicts. These artworks not only showcased artistic talent but also served as powerful tools for social commentary. During times of political unrest, such as depicted in "The Tea-Tax-Tempest" or "State of the English Nation, " the British Lion was often portrayed as a symbol of resistance against oppressive policies. It became an emblematic figure representing defiance and resilience among the people. As time progressed, even popular publications like Punch utilized images like "The Harmless Necessary Cat" to depict societal issues with humor while still incorporating elements of national pride through their representation of the lion. Historical events were also captured through engravings such as "Bonaparte in trouble" or ""No Mistake. "" where we witness how artists used imagery to reflect upon moments that shaped Britain's identity on both domestic and international stages. One cannot forget works like "The Death of Property Tax. Or 37 Mortal Wounds for Ministers" or even more subtly symbolic ones like "The State of the Nation, Disraeli measuring the British Lion. " These pieces demonstrate how deeply ingrained this regal creature is within Britain's political landscape – a constant reminder that power must be wielded responsibly.