A Crouching Leopard c. 1829

Editor: Here we have Delacroix’s “A Crouching Leopard,” a graphite drawing. I am fascinated by the visible process, seeing the artist’s hand so directly. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: The immediacy you perceive speaks to Delacroix's engagement with the materiality of art-making. Graphite allowed for rapid studies, connecting directly to the act of observation. Consider how this facilitated his depictions of exotic subjects, fueling a burgeoning market for such imagery. How does this tie into broader consumption patterns of the era? Editor: That makes me think about access to exotic animals during the 19th century. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, art reflects and shapes our material world, from the pencil in Delacroix's hand to the social forces that made such images desirable.