Horse Attacked by a Lion
- Original dimensions
- 65 x 54 cm
- Museum
- room 941
- Year
- 1812
Scene depicted
This tragic painting illustrates the ultimate moment of a wild confrontation between a horse and a lion. The palpable tension, captured with remarkable mastery, resonates with the hearts of viewers, inviting each to feel the primordial struggle of nature. Every detail of this painting conveys shock, strength, and beauty in the chaotic order of the animal world.
Historical context
Artwork: Horse Attacked by a Lion |BRK| Artist: Théodore Géricault |BRK| Year: 1812 |BRK| Museum: room 941 |BRK| Dimensions: 65 x 54 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
Horse Attacked by a Lion stands as a centerpiece in Géricault's artistic journey. It reflects his evolution, heavily influenced by his two other paintings , The Raft of the Medusa and Portrait of an Invalid, which testify to his quest for emotional truth. This canvas embodies a stylistic peak where the artist asserts his personal and societal discourse.
Anecdote
Géricault once declared: "Art must speak with passion and truth, in order to awaken souls." This inspiration came to him during a morning walk in the Tuileries Garden, where the softness of the sun's rays and the sweet scent of flowers mingled with the distant echo of a roaring lion, reinforcing his desire to create this powerful pictorial work .