Lion Hunt c. 19th century

Curator: This is Lion Hunt, attributed to Théodore Géricault, held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, it's fierce! Feels raw and immediate. Like a nightmare sketched in watercolor. Curator: Indeed. Géricault was known for his intense studies of animals and human anatomy. Notice how the swirling brushstrokes create movement, and how the watercolor medium allows for a sense of transience. Editor: That poor figure on the ground...and look at the horse rearing up – wild! It speaks to the power dynamics at play; the colonial gaze, perhaps? Curator: Possibly. The means of production – the watercolor itself, the paper – speaks to the relative accessibility of this medium. A study, a sketch, perhaps a preparation for a larger work. Editor: I get a visceral reaction from the struggle, the desperation. Makes you think about who holds the power, even now. Curator: Absolutely. It's a potent reminder of the enduring impact of artistic explorations into human drama and its historical context. Editor: I’ll walk away from this one with a knot in my stomach but also a strangely invigorated creative spirit!