Royal Tiger 1829 - 1830

Editor: This is Delacroix's "Royal Tiger," a drawing from around 1829 or 1830. The tiger seems both imposing and vulnerable at the same time, like he's aware of something. What strikes you when you look at it? Curator: Immediately, I think about the public fascination with the exotic that fueled Romanticism. We see a shift in how animals were portrayed, from purely scientific specimens to figures embodying power, mystery, and even danger, which reflected colonial encounters and shaped European perceptions of the "Orient". Does this image reinforce or challenge those perceptions, do you think? Editor: I hadn't thought about the colonial context. It's definitely playing into that "noble savage" trope, but there's also a realness in the depiction that goes beyond pure stereotype. It's not just about European fantasies. Curator: Precisely! The tiger becomes a canvas for projecting both the allure and the anxieties surrounding colonial power. Think about the exhibitions in zoos and circuses – how did those public displays shape understandings of wild animals and faraway lands? Editor: It's a bit unsettling to realize this drawing might have fueled that exoticism. Still, it’s a beautiful image with so much texture. I hadn't considered the ethical implications before. Curator: Exactly. By exploring the socio-political currents swirling around this image, we gain a richer, more critical understanding of Delacroix's artistry. It becomes less about simple representation and more about the power dynamics at play during its creation and reception.