Artwork
Study for "Surprise" (Battle of the Tigers)
Study for "Surprise" (Battle of the Tigers) is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist François-Nicolas Chifflart. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Study for 'Surprise' (Battle of the Tigers) is a graphite drawing on blue-gray paper, created circa 1865 by François-Nicolas Chifflart, serving as a preparatory sketch for a larger history painting.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a chaotic scene of intertwined human and animal figures in violent struggle, conveying a sense of turmoil and urgency through its composition.
Technique & Style
Chifflart employed loose, hurried graphite strokes on dull blue-gray paper, eschewing smooth shading for thin, sketchy lines that impart a raw, unfinished quality to the work.
History & Provenance
Created around 1865 as a study for the painting 'Surprise' (Battle of the Tigers), this drawing's provenance and current location are not specified in available information.
Context
This work aligns with Realist tendencies of the time, focusing on capturing intense, dynamic moments, whether from history or, as here, a dramatic, possibly allegorical confrontation.
Legacy
As a preparatory study, its significance lies in illuminating Chifflart's creative process for 'Surprise' (Battle of the Tigers), though the drawing's individual impact on broader artistic movements is not prominently noted.
Artist & collection
The Conversion of Saint Paul; Adam and Eve
The Large Lion Hunt
The Large Lion Hunt
Sketches of Animals (verso)
A Battle on Horseback
Reconciliation of the Romans and the Sabines (recto)
Lion Hunt
The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew; The Conversion of Saint Paul
Alexander the Great and Bucephalus
Venus Disarming Mars, Drapery Study (verso)
Orlando and Angelica Arrive at Charlemagne's Camp
The Marriage of Bacchus and Ariadne