Artwork
Study of a Lion
Study of a Lion is an oil painting by Théodore Géricault. It is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1850 by French artist Théodore Géricault, this oil painting presents a solitary lion rendered in profile. The work resides in the Brooklyn Museum’s collection, offering a compact yet vivid example of Géricault’s interest in animal subjects during the later phase of his brief career.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a single lion whose head is turned slightly to the right, emphasizing the animal’s alertness and dignity. The animal’s powerful stance, captured in a side view, invites contemplation of the creature’s natural majesty without narrative distraction, allowing the viewer to engage directly with the animal’s presence.
Technique & Style
Géricault employs a warm, golden palette for the lion’s body against a deep brown backdrop, using strong chiaroscuro to model form and suggest volume. Visible brushstrokes texture the fur, while meticulous attention to the mane and whiskers conveys both tactile richness and a sense of movement within the static pose.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Brooklyn Museum’s holdings after changing hands in the nineteenth‑century art market, though precise acquisition details remain limited. Its presence in the museum underscores the institution’s commitment to representing Romantic-era French painting and highlights Géricault’s lesser‑known animal studies alongside his more celebrated historical works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault (French: ; 26 September 1791 – 26 January 1824) was a French painter and lithographer.
