Lion Devouring a Horse

The dramatic print Lion Devouring a Horse, created by Eugène Delacroix in 1844, stands as a prime example of the Romantic fascination with primal violence and exotic struggle. This particular impression is a lithograph on chine collé, identified meticulously as the fourth state out of five, showcasing the technical evolution of the work. Delacroix often explored the inherent savagery of nature, a theme central to his larger body of work inspired by his travels to North Africa in 1832, where he encountered exotic animals and developed a keen interest in their power.

Delacroix, a master of dynamic composition, captures the ferocious energy of the predatory lion attacking the defenseless horse. The agonizing struggle between these two monumental animals—a recurring motif in his art—allows him to showcase intense emotion and vigorous movement, characteristics defining the French Romantic movement. This fascination with powerful lions attacking horses reflects historical themes dating back to antiquity, which Delacroix updated with the intensity required by 19th-century sensibilities. His skillful use of the lithographic medium emphasizes the raw textures of the animals and the dark, dramatic atmosphere of the scene. This classification of prints is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a key example of Delacroix’s influential draftsmanship.