Studies of a Rearing Horse Attacked by a Lion and a Lion Wrestling with a Serpent c. 1830s

Eugène Delacroix's "Studies of a Rearing Horse Attacked by a Lion and a Lion Wrestling with a Serpent" is a collection of dynamic sketches dating back to the 1830s. The work showcases Delacroix's masterful use of line and his keen observation of animal movement. The artist captures the intensity of the struggle between the lion and the horse, as well as the serpentine grace of the lion wrestling with a serpent. These studies demonstrate the importance of observation and gesture in Delacroix's artistic process, laying the groundwork for future grander works.