French auctioneer Malo de Lussac made a remarkable discovery while examining a property in France’s central region of Touraine. He stumbled upon an original oil-on-canvas painting by Eugène Delacroix, a renowned 19th-century Romantic artist. The painting, titled “Study of Reclining Lions,” has been in the possession of the same family since the mid-1800s and is set to go up for auction later this month, with an estimated value of up to $330,000.
According to reports by La Nouvelle République and Artnet, the owners were initially unsure of the painting’s authenticity. However, when de Lussac laid eyes on the artwork, he was immediately drawn to its magnetism. Delacroix’s works are commonly found in museums but rarely in private collections, making this discovery particularly significant.
The 24-by-20-inch canvas features seven lions lounging in a palette of ochres and deep browns. The muscular bodies and expressive faces of the lions, framed by flowing manes, are depicted in intricate detail. Delacroix, known for his rich and vivid colors, was a leading figure in the Romantic movement and gained fame for works like “Liberty Leading the People,” created in response to the July Revolution of 1830.
Delacroix had a fascination with lions and often painted these majestic creatures. He frequented the Jardin des Plantes menagerie in Paris, where he observed captive tigers and lions. His keen interest in studying animal anatomy and behavior is reflected in his artworks, including the series “The Lion Hunt,” which depicts intense confrontations between lions and horsemen.
The recently discovered “Study of Reclining Lions” comes with two pieces of documentation—a 1973 certificate from collector Pierre Dieterle and a 1966 letter from Delacroix specialist Lee Johnson. The painting’s back bears the wax seal from Delacroix’s studio sale following his death in 1863.
This remarkable find marks de Lussac’s second major discovery in recent years, following his appraisal of an authentic work by Pieter Brueghel the Younger in 2023. The painting by Brueghel fetched around $850,000 at auction. “Study of Reclining Lions” is currently on display at Hôtel Drouot in Paris and will be auctioned on March 28.
For art enthusiasts and collectors, this unexpected unveiling of a Delacroix masterpiece offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of art history. Don’t miss the chance to witness the allure of “Study of Reclining Lions” as it goes under the hammer at Hôtel Drouot.
