Studies of a Rearing Horse Attacked by a Lion and a Lion Wrestling with a Serpent

Studies of a Rearing Horse Attacked by a Lion and a Lion Wrestling with a Serpent, executed by Eugène Delacroix between 1830 and 1839, powerfully captures the Romantic fascination with raw conflict and animal dynamism. This drawing classification utilizes pen and brown ink alongside brush and brown wash, applied on writing paper. Delacroix’s masterful use of wash creates dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, defining the muscular tension inherent in the subjects.

The piece presents two intense vignettes focused on predatory violence. On the left, a rearing horse struggles violently under the attack of a lion, a popular hunting theme in Romantic art that represents the fury of nature and the vulnerability of domesticated animals. On the right, the focus shifts to a solitary, primeval battle where a lion engages in a desperate wrestling match with a massive serpent. Delacroix often explored exotic and dangerous animal confrontations, fueled partly by his influential journey to North Africa in 1832. These powerful depictions of lions and horses were central to the artist’s development of dramatic figure compositions throughout the 1830s.

This exceptional example of the artist's preparatory methods and graphic skill is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The spontaneous energy and dramatic intensity found in the work showcase the speed and certainty of Delacroix’s draftsmanship. As an important nineteenth-century drawing, the Studies of a Rearing Horse Attacked by a Lion and a Lion Wrestling with a Serpent is frequently referenced for its formal qualities, and high-resolution images are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread accessibility for scholars and enthusiasts.