Lion Devouring a Horse 

Delacroix's pencil drawing captures a raw, visceral moment: a lion triumphing over a horse. The lion, a symbol of strength and primal power, has been represented since antiquity. The horse, often associated with nobility and civilization, is here reduced to a vulnerable prey. This scene echoes through history, recurring in ancient myths and Renaissance paintings, each time reflecting anxieties about human nature and societal order. Think of similar predator-prey motifs in Roman mosaics, or even medieval tapestries – a dance of power played out across centuries. Consider Géricault's "Raft of the Medusa," in which the horror of survival is laid bare, much like the stark reality here. These images touch upon our deepest fears, reminding us of the fragility of existence and the eternal struggle for survival. Such representations tap into our collective subconscious, revealing timeless truths about power, instinct, and the cyclical nature of life.