1847
oil
canvas
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
The Lion and the Snake is a 1847 oil by Eugène Delacroix, held at Fitzwilliam Museum.
In this painting, a lion stands on a rocky outcrop, its head lowered as it gazes at a snake slithering across the ground. The lion's fur is rendered in warm, golden tones, while the snake's body is depicted in a lighter, more muted color. The background of the painting is dark and shadowy, with hints of a cloudy sky visible above the rocky outcrop. The lion's pose suggests a sense of tension and alertness, as if it is poised to strike the snake at any moment. The snake, meanwhile, seems to be moving slowly and deliberately, its body sinuous and curved. The overall effect of the painting is one of drama and intensity, with the two animals locked in a silent struggle. If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this painting, you might want to look up Eugène Delacroix.
Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix ( DEL-ə-krwah, -KRWAH; French: ; 26 April 1798 – 13 August 1863) was a French Romantic artist who was regarded as the leader of the French Romantic school.
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