1880
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Oriental Interior with Sleeping Tiger is a 1880 ink by Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a dimly lit room with two figures and a tiger. One person lies on a couch, half-covered by a sheet, while another stands nearby, holding a lantern. The tiger sprawls on the floor, its head resting on its paws. The artist used sharp lines to create shadows and texture, making the scene feel almost three-dimensional. The lighting is low, focusing on the figures and the tiger while keeping the background dark. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like Constant made detailed prints like this.
Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant (also known as Benjamin-Constant), born Jean-Joseph Constant (10 June 1845 – 26 May 1902), was a French painter and etcher best known for his Oriental subjects and portraits.
See the richer artist page
