A Horse Frightened by a Lion
1777
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1777
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This etching shows a white horse rearing up in fear, its mane flying. A lion crouches low nearby, ready to pounce. The background is a rocky, shadowy forest with thick bushes and a dark sky. The horse’s muscles are drawn sharply, showing tension. The artist used deep contrasts between light and dark to make the scene feel dramatic. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this lighting trick works.
