Horse Attacked by a Lion by George Stubbs, 1769

Stubbs was obsessed with the subject of a lion attacking a horse, making at least seventeen works on the theme, most of which were in oil on regularly-shaped canvas. In this enamel on copper piece, Stubbs cut off the corners to form an irregular octagon, thus tightening the composition. This is Stubbs's earliest known experiment in painting in enamel colours, and he had spent years prior to this experimenting with the changing of colours in high temperatures to predict the changes in his painting.

In preparation for the work, he made many studies of caged lions at the Tower of London and at Lord Shelbourne's menagerie on Hounslow Heath. The innovative subject proved popular and influential. It allowed Stubbs to demonstrate his virtuosity as an animal and landscape painter.