Leopards

Samuel William Reynolds I

1798

chalk

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Animal

About this work

This painting shows two leopards in a rocky setting. One sits low to the ground with its mouth open, while the other stands tall on its hind legs, also yawning. The artist used dark tones to create a dramatic, shadowy background that makes the animals stand out. The leopards’ fur is detailed with small spots, and their poses look natural but slightly exaggerated. The painting feels wild and untamed, which fits the time period’s love for nature’s power. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this one used metal plates and acid to create prints.