Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion

Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion by Eugène Delacroix (French, 1798–1863) is a dramatic oil on panel painting created between 1849 and 1850. This intense scene captures a rider and his steed entangled in a struggle for survival against a massive predatory lion. The subject exemplifies the fervor of French Romanticism during the 19th century, a movement Delacroix spearheaded through his use of energetic color, dynamic composition, and emotional complexity. The visual structure is built upon swirling movement and diagonal lines, which expertly emphasize the chaos, terror, and sensory immediacy of the brutal confrontation.

Delacroix continually revisited themes of violent animal combat and exotic subjects derived from his pivotal 1832 trip to North Africa. While this piece was created nearly two decades after his voyage, the painting reflects the lasting impact of his sketches and impressions of Arab culture, horsemanship, and the untamed nature of the region. The depiction of the combat, characteristic of Orientalist painting, transforms a simple animal encounter into a high-stakes dramatic narrative. Delacroix utilizes rich, hot colors and visible, broken brushstrokes, characteristics that distinguish him as a master colorist and that foreshadow later artistic developments. The choice of oil on panel, rather than canvas, allows for both intense detail and rapid, expressive application of paint.

This piece, classified as a major 19th century painting from France, showcases Delacroix’s profound ability to infuse historical and exotic subjects with psychological depth and palpable motion. The work is a significant example of his final creative phase, often characterized by smaller, more concentrated depictions of his established Romantic themes. The painting, Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion, resides within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key representation of the artist's legacy. As a landmark of high Romanticism, high-quality images and prints of this powerful artwork are widely available today.