Three Studies of a Lion

Three Studies of a Lion, created by Eugène Delacroix between approximately 1815 and 1863, represents the artist’s lifelong commitment to studying the anatomy and expressive power of wild animals. This important study is executed in graphite on tracing paper, a medium Delacroix frequently utilized for its ease of use in capturing contours and for its ability to transfer designs. The delicate tracing paper was later mounted onto heavier wove paper for preservation.

Delacroix, a foremost exponent of French Romanticism, was deeply fascinated by the drama and dynamism inherent in large predators. His meticulous attention to the musculature and physical form of lions became a central motif throughout his career, informing large-scale oil paintings and influential lithographs, such as the Animalier series. This piece features multiple views of the majestic animal, with a prominent sketch detailing the powerful, curving spine and flanks, alongside two smaller, focused studies of the head, capturing both a placid and an alert expression.

These preparatory studies were critical to Delacroix’s artistic process, enabling him to master movement and form before translating the raw power of the lions into complex narrative works like The Lion Hunt. The drawing serves as a powerful testament to the artist’s dedication to observational accuracy. This essential work of draftsmanship is housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. As a historical drawing from the 19th century, high-resolution scans of Delacroix’s work are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued scholarly access to his preparatory techniques.