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Lion Devouring a Horse

Théodore Géricault

1823

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Animal

Dominant colour

Lion Devouring a Horse is a 1823 ink by Théodore Géricault, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Théodore Géricault
When & what style?: 1823 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a lion crouched over a dead horse, its front paws buried in the animal’s side. The lion’s fur is thick and tangled, its head turned slightly as if mid-bite. The horse’s legs are stiff, its body half-covered by the lion’s bulk. The artist used quick, rough lines to show the struggle—no smooth shapes here. The background is just a dark, shadowy blur, keeping all focus on the two animals. Want to see how artists used lithography to make bold, fast sketches like this? Try lithography.