Artwork

Tiger Sleeping at the Entrance to its Lair (Tigre couché à l'entrée de son antre)

Tiger Sleeping at the Entrance to its Lair (Tigre couché à l'entrée de son antre) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Eugène Delacroix. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Tiger Sleeping at the Entrance to its Lair is a print created by Eugène Delacroix around 1830, utilizing a multi-technique approach on wove paper. Characteristic of the French Romantic school, the work emphasizes expressive qualities over classical precision.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene tiger resting at the entrance of a dark, mysterious lair. The composition embodies dramatic and romantic themes, contrasting light and shadow to evoke a sense of quiet stillness.

Technique & Style

Delacroix combined etching, drypoint, possible mezzotint, roulette, and burnishing. These techniques, along with soft, curved lines for the tiger's fur and deep shadows, create a textured, depthful image, drawing the viewer in.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1830 by Delacroix, a leading Romantic figure, influenced more by Rubens and Venetian Renaissance painters than by Neoclassical ideals, notably differing from his contemporary Ingres.

Context

Reflects Delacroix's mature style, prioritizing emotion and movement over classical restraint, aligning with broader Romantic movement values in early 19th-century France.

Legacy

Contributes to Delacroix's reputation for innovative printmaking and expressive Romantic imagery, influencing subsequent artistic movements with its emphasis on emotional depth and technical experimentation.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Eugène Delacroix

Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix ( DEL-ə-krwah, -⁠KRWAH; French: ; 26 April 1798 – 13 August 1863) was a French Romantic artist who was regarded as the leader of the French Romantic school.