Horse Attacked by a Lion 1762

George Stubbs’ canvas captures a visceral struggle between a horse and a lion, a drama of instinct and survival. The horse, a symbol of nobility and grace, is here contorted in terror, its muscular form a testament to raw power turned to desperation. The lion, a predator of regal bearing, embodies untamed nature. This motif of the animal kingdom locked in mortal combat has ancient roots. We find it echoed in Roman mosaics, where lions tear into bulls, symbols of opposing forces locked in eternal conflict. The horse's frantic energy reminds us of the classical sculpture of Laocoön, its writhing body a similar embodiment of agony. These echoes remind us that we all face our own mortality. The repetition of this motif serves as a constant reminder of life's inherent struggles, and how these symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.