Study for "Surprise" (Battle of the Tigers) c. 1865

François-Nicolas Chifflart created this graphite drawing, Study for "Surprise" (Battle of the Tigers), in the 19th century. Chifflart was a product of his time, trained in the academic tradition, yet his work often hints at something darker and more turbulent beneath the surface. "Study for 'Surprise'" offers us a glimpse into this tension. The figures of men and animals locked in mortal combat convey a raw, visceral energy. Consider the historical context: France in the 1800s was a society grappling with revolution, empire, and shifting social structures. How might these tumultuous times have influenced Chifflart's artistic vision, leading him to explore themes of conflict and struggle? The battle depicted is not just one of man versus beast, but perhaps a broader reflection on the battles within ourselves and within society. In its unfinished state, the drawing invites us to imagine and interpret the unfolding drama.