Artwork
Tiger Hunt
Tiger Hunt is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles Etienne Pierre Motte. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Charles Etienne Pierre Motte’s 1821 lithograph titled “Tiger Hunt” presents a vigorous tableau of riders and horses in pursuit of a tiger. Executed on wove paper, the print captures a moment of intense motion, with the animals rearing and the hunters leaning forward, emphasizing the drama of the chase.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a traditional hunting scene, a genre popular in early nineteenth‑century European art. By portraying humans confronting a powerful tiger, the image reflects contemporary fascination with exotic wildlife and the display of human bravery and control over nature, themes that resonated with audiences of the period.
Technique & Style
Created through lithography, the work utilizes the stone‑based printing process that allowed for fine tonal variation and swift reproduction. Motte’s handling of line and shading conveys the kinetic energy of the horses and the tension of the moment, while the wove paper surface contributes to a smooth, uniform finish typical of early lithographic prints.
History & Provenance
First produced in 1821, the print forms part of Motte’s broader output of narrative scenes. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has circulated among collections of nineteenth‑century prints, illustrating the spread of lithography as a medium for disseminating popular visual stories during that era.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
