Terms and conditions of use
A lion attacking a horse
(c. 1765)
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
69.0 × 100.1 cm
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1949
Gallery location
17th to 18th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
This sensational image of animals engaged in mortal combat was a favourite subject for George Stubbs, one of England’s foremost animal painters throughout the second half of the eighteenth century. His focus on the violent forces of nature had a profound impact on the following generation of Romantic artists. Stubbs often replicated these figures exactly but varied the landscape setting in each work. The landscape was critical to Stubbs as it helped set the tone for his often repeated ‘sublime’ encounter. In this instance, the landscape is not as dark and dramatic as seen in his later works.
Artwork Details
Accession Number
2052-4
Department
International Painting
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Subjects (general)
Animals Violence
Subjects (specific)
claws (animal components) fighting hooves (animal components) horse (species) lion (species) trees