African Hunter (Chasseur Africain)

Horace Vernet

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image shows a black and white drawing titled "African Hunter (Chasseur Africain)" by Horace Vernet. The man in the image is standing on a rocky outcropping with his back to the viewer. He is naked and holding two spears. One spear is held up in the air, while the other is tucked under his arm. He has short hair and is standing with his legs apart. To the right of the man, a large cat, possibly a lioness, is attacking a dead or dying animal on the ground. The cat's mouth is open, and it appears to be biting the animal. In the background, there are mountains and a palm tree. The sky is cloudy, and there is a sense of movement in the scene, with the man and the cat in dynamic poses. The drawing is detailed and textured, with shading and cross-hatching used to create depth and dimension.