Artwork
Tigre effrayé par un serpent
Tigre effrayé par un serpent is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Eugène Delacroix. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1854, this oil painting by Eugène Delacroix captures a moment of sudden alarm in the animal kingdom. A tiger, rendered with vigorous brushwork, recoils as a coiled serpent emerges nearby. The composition is set against a bright, verdant landscape that hints at a sunlit day, emphasizing the tension between the two creatures.
Subject & Meaning
The work juxtaposes the raw power of the tiger with the sly threat of the snake, exploring themes of instinctual fear and the clash of natural forces. By presenting the tiger’s startled gaze toward the viewer, Delacroix invites contemplation of vulnerability even in the most formidable beings, a motif common in his later oeuvre.
Technique & Style
Delacroix employs thick, textured strokes to model the tiger’s fur, achieving a tactile sense of volume. His palette is dominated by saturated greens, blues, and yellows that enliven the background, while the animal’s coat is built up with bold, impasto applications of orange and black. The dynamic handling of paint reflects his Romantic preference for movement over strict anatomical exactness.
History & Provenance
Painted during the height of Delacroix’s mature period, the canvas entered the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle, where it remains on public display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on 19th‑century French Romanticism and contributes to the broader representation of Delacroix’s animal studies within European art institutions.
Context
Delacroix’s approach in this piece draws on the dramatic vigor of Peter Paul Rubens and the coloristic richness of Venetian Renaissance painters. While rooted in Romanticism’s fascination with intense emotion and exotic subjects, the painting also illustrates the artist’s ongoing interest in depicting wildlife as a conduit for exploring human-like passions and turmoil.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
