Sketch of a Tiger c. 19th century

Curator: This is Eugène Delacroix's "Sketch of a Tiger," part of the collection at the Harvard Art Museums. Delacroix, born in 1798, was a master of Romanticism. Editor: It looks like a watercolor dream. The tiger's got this introspective, almost melancholy vibe. It’s as though it's pondering the mysteries of the jungle, or maybe just hungry. Curator: Delacroix was fascinated by exotic animals, and he would often visit the Jardin des Plantes menagerie in Paris to study them. He aimed to capture their essence. Editor: He's definitely caught something primal here. The loose lines give it a raw, untamed energy. It's not just a tiger; it's the idea of a tiger, prowling in the theater of our minds. Curator: Indeed. His sketches challenged the dominance of academic art, paving the way for future generations of artists to prioritize emotion and movement over strict realism. Editor: It’s a tiny glimpse into Delacroix's process, like finding a tiger print in his journal. Beautiful. Curator: A testament to his vision.