A Horse Attacked by a Lion
1788
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1788
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This painting shows a horse rearing up on its hind legs while a lion lunges at its neck. The horse’s mane and tail fly wildly, and the lion’s mouth is open wide, teeth bared. In the background, a dark, cloudy sky looms over a dimly lit landscape with a faint outline of buildings. The artist focused on the raw power of the animals, making their muscles and movement feel almost alive. The lighting is dramatic, with stark contrasts between light and shadow. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting technique works.
