Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion

Museum record 81503: Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion by Eugène Delacroix. A verified entry point for discovery.

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Man and beast intertwine to form a single writhing body in this emotionally charged depiction of a lion attacking a horse and its rider. Through short, energetic brushstrokes and carefully manipulated contrasts of light and shadow, Eugène Delacroix imbued this imagined scene with action and drama. While many artists of the period explored the theme of man versus nature, depictions of Arab men entangled with wild animals served a specific propagandistic function, justifying the brutality of French colonia…