Tote bag "Le Lion", a tote bag paying homage to Guillaume Apollinaire’s Bestiary, illustrated by Raoul Dufy

This "The Lion" Tote bag is taken from Apollinaire’s Bestiary, illustrated by Raoul Dufy

The Lion is taken from the collection Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée , written by Guillaume Apollinaire in 1911. In this poem, Apollinaire describes the lion as a fallen royal figure, a former king of the jungle now captive in a cage. The poem resonates as a melancholic reflection on the loss of power and the fall of the great. This tote bag takes up this powerful theme, highlighting the past greatness and present oppression of a once sovereign animal.

Raoul Dufy illustrates the lion with bold, angular features, evoking its raw strength and undiminished majesty despite its captivity. The illustration, rich in contrasts, highlights the tension between the lion's royalty and the sadness of its confinement. Combining Apollinaire's poignant poetry with Dufy's powerful graphic design makes this bag both elegant and meaningful.

Carry this bag as a tribute to strength, resilience, and dignity, even in the face of adversity. It's a perfect accessory for those who appreciate the depth and symbolism of words, as well as the black and white art of Raoul Dufy.

Text of the poem:

O lion, unhappy image
Kings who fell miserably,
You are now only born in a cage
In Hamburg, among the Germans.