Livingstone and the Lion (David Livingstone)
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Livingstone and the Lion (David Livingstone)
by Unknown artist, published by The London Missionary Society
glass magic lantern slide, circa 1900
3 1/4 in. x 3 1/4 in. (83 mm x 83 mm)
Purchased, 1995
Reference Collection
NPG D18385
Sitterback to top
- David Livingstone (1813-1873), Missionary and explorer. Sitter in 40 portraits. Identify
Artistsback to top
- The London Missionary Society. Artist or producer associated with 40 portraits.
- Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6577 portraits.
This portraitback to top
The life and work of David Livingstone, a set of forty lantern slides, reveals how the story of Livingstone's life was transmitted to later generations. This slide, in the words of the pamphlet that accompanies the set, shows Livingstone's 'wonderful escape from death in a lion encounter'. It transforms the relatively passive depiction of the famous incident in Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa' into a scene of high drama, with the lion leaping through the air on to a bloodied Livingstone.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Jeal, Tim; Calder, Angus; Driver, Felix; Cannizzo, Jeanne; Barringer, Tim; MacKenzie, John M., Livingstone: David Livingstone and the Victorian Encounter in Africa, 1996 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 22 March - 7 July 1996), p. 170
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1900back to top
Current affairs
The Conservatives return to power, after the Prime Minister Lord Salisbury calls a general election, known as the 'Khaki election', on the back of huge jingoistic support for the Boer War.The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) is founded from a coalition of socialist groups; they win two seats in the 1900 election and Ramsay Macdonald is appointed secretary. The Labour politician Keir Hardie is also returned to Parliament for Merthyr Tydfilin Wales.
Art and science
German physicist Max Planck proposes the concept of the quantum theory. Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams is published. In the text, Freud outlines his theory of dream analysis, crucial to the study of the unconscious, and introduces key concepts in psychoanalysis, such as the Ego.The Paris International Exhibition, attended by more than 50 million people and including over 76,000 exhibitors, marks the heyday of Art Nouveau.
International
In China the Boxer rebellion takes place. The Boxers were anti-imperialist and against foreign influence in trade, religion, politics and technology in the final years of the Manchu rule. The Boxers invade Beijing, killing 230 foreigners and Chinese Christians. The rebellion is suppressed by a multinational coalition of 20,000 troops, with China being forced to pay large war reparations, contributing to growing nationalist resentment against the Qing dynasty.Comments back to top
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