Head on view of seated lion 1812 - 1814

This is a drawing of a seated lion seen head-on, created by Théodore Géricault with graphite on paper. The loose sketch evokes a palpable sense of immediacy. Notice how Géricault's handling of line and form destabilizes a conventional understanding of representation. The lion's face is rendered with meticulous detail, and the sharp, dark lines articulate its mane, contrasting with the rest of the body that dissolves into a web of gestural strokes. The differing levels of detail create tension; the lion’s intense, almost human gaze, is trapped in a body that lacks definition. The drawing doesn't offer us a complete picture. Instead it prompts questions about the nature of perception and representation. How do we construct meaning from fragmented images? The raw, unfinished quality of the sketch challenges the viewer, inviting us to engage with the work not as a mere depiction of a lion, but as an exploration of line, form, and the very act of seeing.