Crossroads of Curiosity

"Chinese Dragon"

 

David Normal:

 

The Chinese Dragon emerges (implausibly) from the arched gate of the Mosque, and a procession leads across the Royal Square of Ispahan to cross a railway bridge across the Firth of Tay, Scotland (one that collapsed tragically in 1879) that is dwarfed by the scale of this gigantic Dragon. To one side are crusaders, and to the other is the railroad. The Dragon, emblematic of Chinese tradition, is hemmed in on all sides by the forces of the West, and yet nimbly steps over it all to pursue something beyond comprehension.

 

Image taken from page 241 of 'The Cruise of Her Majesty's Ship “Bacchante,” 1879-1882. Compiled from the private journals, letters and note-books of Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales, with additions by J. N. Dalton'  Collection of the British Library.

View illustration on British Library's Flickr Photostream

 

More Information on BL Collections and the Crossroads of Curiosity Event can be found by clicking here.