Wild Horse Coming out of the Water (Cheval sauvage)

Wild Horse Coming out of the Water (Cheval sauvage) is a powerful early lithograph created by the pivotal French Romantic artist, Eugène Delacroix, in 1828. This graphic work demonstrates Delacroix’s profound mastery of the then-emerging print medium. Unlike traditional engraving, the technique of lithography allowed Delacroix to achieve rich, painterly effects and fluid contrasts, perfectly suited to the turbulent energy of his subject matter.

The composition focuses intensely on a single, massive equine figure emerging dramatically from a body of water, its muscles straining and mane flying wildly. This depiction captures the core Romantic fascination with untamed nature and primal power. Created during the high point of the Romantic movement, spanning the period of 1826 to 1850, the piece rejects Neoclassical formality in favor of raw emotion and dynamism. Delacroix often returned to equestrian themes throughout his career, viewing the horse as a central symbol of freedom, violence, and sublime natural forces.

While Delacroix is renowned primarily for his large oil paintings, he was a dedicated and innovative printmaker who significantly elevated the status of the lithograph in 19th-century French art. This particular example is considered among his finest early efforts in the medium, showcasing his ability to translate dramatic action into black and white. The careful manipulation of shadow and light emphasizes the animal's struggle, making the prints feel immediate and visceral.

This notable work is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., serving as an essential reference for Delacroix’s graphic output. As an important French work from this era, it highlights the transition toward expressive representation that defined the mid-19th century.