Wild Horse or Frightened Horse Leaving the Water

"Wild Horse or Frightened Horse Leaving the Water" is a highly dynamic lithograph created in 1828 by the celebrated French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863). This dramatic print exemplifies the artist's lifelong fascination with powerful natural forces and animal energy, themes central to the burgeoning Romantic movement in 19th-century France.

The work was produced using a sophisticated lithographic process utilizing two stones, achieving a subtle tonal complexity through the combination of buff and black ink applied to white wove paper. This technique allowed Delacroix to masterfully capture both the texture of the churning water and the strained, powerful musculature of the fleeing equine subject. Unlike the measured classicism prevalent in earlier periods, Delacroix prioritized emotional intensity and movement, depicting the animal in a state of terror as it violently exits a turbulent body of water.

Delacroix frequently returned to intense studies of animals, viewing the horse not just as a motif but as a vehicle for raw, untamed expression. As a foundational figure in French art, his deep engagement with graphic media, such as this influential lithograph, underscores the growing importance of prints as an expressive and accessible medium in the early 19th century. This historic piece is currently housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. High-quality images of this remarkable print are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring its continued study and appreciation globally.