Artwork
Lion Devouring a Horse

Lion Devouring a Horse is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Théodore Géricault. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in image: Géricault del; lower center in image: L...et Villain; lower right in image: chez Gihaut, bvd des Italiens No3; by later hand, upper right in graphite: 2e etat; by later hand, lower left in graphite: RPr 4/72; by later hand, center verso in graphite: 971 17 …
About this work
Overview
Lion Devouring a Horse is a lithograph on wove paper created by Théodore Géricault in 1823. It is a print that showcases the artist's exploration of dramatic animal confrontations.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph depicts a lion attacking a dead horse, capturing a moment of raw conflict in nature. The scene is characterized by intense emotional and visual contrasts, reflecting Géricault's fascination with dynamic and powerful natural scenes.
Technique & Style
Géricault employed quick, rough lines to convey the struggle between the two animals, eschewing smooth shapes for a more expressive effect. The background is reduced to a dark, shadowy blur, focusing the viewer's attention on the lion and horse.
History & Provenance
Created in 1823, Lion Devouring a Horse is a product of Géricault's work as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, a period marked by intense emotional expression and vivid visual representation.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault (French:; 26 September 1791 – 26 January 1824) was a French painter and lithographer.








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