The Surprising Discovery of a Delacroix: Forgotten Lion Painting Set to Auction for $330,000
- Soraima
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Researched, prompted, edited, and published by Soraima on March 25, 2025
In a remarkable twist of fate, a French family recently discovered that a painting hanging in their living room for generations is an authentic work by Eugène Delacroix, one of the most celebrated figures of the French Romantic movement.
The painting, titled Study of Reclining Lions, is now poised for auction with an estimated value of up to $330,000.
The rediscovery occurred during a routine property inventory in Touraine, a region in central France. French auctioneer Malo de Lussac stumbled upon the painting, initially suspecting it might be of historical significance.
Upon further inspection, the artwork was authenticated as an original Delacroix—a rare and thrilling find for both the family and the art world.
A Forgotten Masterpiece
The painting depicts two reclining lions, rendered with the dramatic brushstrokes and expressive detail typical of Delacroix’s style. Known for his fascination with wild animals, Delacroix often used lions as subjects in his sketches and paintings, capturing their raw power and grace.
The family had owned the painting since the mid-1800s, but its artistic and monetary value had gone unrecognized. It had remained a mere decorative fixture in their home for generations. Art historians suggest that its overlooked status may have preserved the work’s condition, as it was spared from harsh museum lighting or poor restoration efforts.
Authentication and Valuation
Following the discovery, art experts carefully analyzed the piece, verifying its authenticity through stylistic comparisons and provenance research. The painting’s characteristics—including its brushwork, color palette, and composition—aligned with Delacroix’s known studies of lions.
After authentication, the piece was appraised at a value of €200,000 to €300,000 (approximately $220,000 to $330,000 USD). It is set to be auctioned on March 28, 2025, at the Rouillac auction house. The sale is expected to attract international interest from museums, collectors, and art investors.
Delacroix’s Enduring Legacy
Eugène Delacroix (1798–1863) was a pivotal figure in the Romantic art movement, known for his dynamic compositions and vivid use of color. His famous works, such as Liberty Leading the People (1830), encapsulate the emotional intensity and revolutionary spirit of the era.
While Delacroix is best known for his large-scale historical and allegorical paintings, he also created numerous animal studies, particularly of lions and tigers. These works were part of his lifelong fascination with exotic wildlife, inspired by visits to Paris’s Jardin des Plantes Menagerie and the Moroccan countryside, which he visited in 1832.
A Rare Find in the Art World
Unexpected art discoveries like this one are rare but not unprecedented. Forgotten masterpieces occasionally surface in private collections, attics, or estate sales, shocking the art world. Similar cases include:
A Caravaggio painting, Judith and Holofernes, found in a French attic in 2014 and later valued at €150 million.
A long-lost Van Gogh landscape, Sunset at Montmajour, discovered in a Norwegian attic in 2013 after being misattributed for decades.
The Delacroix lion painting adds to this growing list of remarkable rediscoveries, underscoring the potential for hidden treasures in everyday homes.
Art Market Implications
The discovery of Study of Reclining Lions could spark renewed interest in Delacroix’s works, influencing both the museum and private collector markets. If the piece achieves or exceeds its estimated auction price, it may drive up the value of other Delacroix paintings and sketches.
Additionally, it highlights the importance of expert evaluations for privately owned artworks, as many families may unknowingly possess valuable pieces with significant historical or financial worth.
Sources and Further Reading
Smithsonian Magazine: This Painting of Lounging Lions Was Hanging in a Family’s Living Room. It Turned Out to Be an Original Delacroix
Rouillac Auction House: Upcoming Auction – March 28, 2025
The Guardian: French family’s painting confirmed as original Delacroix, valued at $330,000
The Art Newspaper: Delacroix’s Lion Study Rediscovered
The rediscovery of Eugène Delacroix’s Study of Reclining Lions is a reminder that valuable art treasures can sometimes be hidden in plain sight.
For the unsuspecting French family, what was once a simple decoration has now become a coveted piece of art history, set to make waves in the auction world.
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