Man Struggling with a Boa Constrictor, Study for ‘The Liboya Serpent Seizing His Prey’ c. 1803

James Ward’s “Man Struggling with a Boa Constrictor, Study for ‘The Liboya Serpent Seizing His Prey’” (c. 1803) is a study for a larger, more dramatic painting of the same subject matter. The oil sketch is set against a stark background, focusing on the intense struggle between the muscular man and the serpentine creature. Ward’s fascination with animal anatomy and the portrayal of raw power are evident in the composition, which captures the desperate fight for survival with remarkable dynamism and realism. This study allows viewers to see the process behind Ward’s artistry and the genesis of a powerful and evocative work.