Lion attacking a snake over nude figure study 1812 - 1814

This is a pencil sketch by Théodore Géricault, from sometime in the early 19th century. The subdued tones of the graphite on paper seem worlds away from the dramatic narratives Géricault is known for. Yet this loose, expressive drawing—seemingly dashed off in moments— reveals a lot about his process. Look closely, and you can see that Géricault layered images, as though unsure what form the final work might take. We see a lion attacking a snake, superimposed over a nude figure study. Pencil allowed Géricault to explore ideas freely, unconstrained by the demands of a patron or the conventions of academic painting. The texture of the paper, the pressure of the artist's hand—these are all part of the drawing's appeal. It makes us ask, what is more powerful – a finished painting, or a sketch like this, which puts us right in the middle of the artist's creative process?