A Lioness and a Caricature of Ingres

"A Lioness and a Caricature of Ingres" by Eugène Delacroix, created between 1850 and 1859, is a fascinating graphic work that encapsulates the artist's dual passions: the vigorous representation of nature and his lively, often satirical, antagonism toward his rival, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. This striking drawing, executed in pen and brown ink, demonstrates Delacroix’s mastery of spontaneous gesture and rapid articulation, characteristic of his studies and private compositions during his later career.

The piece is compositionally divided, juxtaposing two distinct subjects. On the left, a powerful lioness is rendered with anatomical precision and dramatic hatching, reflecting Delacroix’s enduring fascination with big cats and exotic animal studies, which became a hallmark of the Romantic movement. This animal’s vital energy contrasts sharply with the figure on the right: a sharp, humorous caricature of Ingres, the staunch Neoclassicist who championed academic line over Delacroix’s emphasis on color and movement. This pairing visualizes the philosophical rift dominating 19th-century French art, positioning the vibrancy of the lioness against the perceived rigidity of his opponent.

As a significant drawing, this piece provides valuable insight into the private commentary and technical fluidity of one of France's greatest Romantic painters. The work is classified as a fundamental example of 19th-century graphic arts and is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to the artwork’s age, high-resolution images and prints of this powerful Delacroix drawing are increasingly available in the public domain, making the study of the intense rivalry reflected in works like A Lioness and a Caricature of Ingres accessible worldwide.