[Martin, Henri] | Twelve vignettes of the lion tamer

[Martin, Henri]

Lithograph. Strasbourg: Simon, N.d.

Lithograph (630 x 465 mm). Twelve vignettes depicting Martin's feats, including lion taming and snake handling; some browning and smudging at margins, short closed tear to right margin, small chip to left margin. Matted, with tissue guard.

Henri Martin was arguably the first to introduce wild animals to the circus, when he entered a cage with a tiger in 1831. In this attractive lithograph he is depicted with several demeanors. In some of the vignettes he and the lions are seemingly calm and congenial, as if Martin is one with them; in others, he is dominant over the animals, shown to be conquering them in feats of strength.