Eugène Delacroix

Considered the spiritual heir to Théodore Géricault, Delacroix was profoundly impacted by 'The Raft of the Medusa.' This influence was a major driving force behind his first masterpiece, 'The Barque of Dante.'¹

'The Barque of Dante,' exhibited at the 1822 Salon, faced intense public criticism yet was purchased by the state. This pattern of opposing criticism and official support would persist throughout his life.¹

'The Massacre at Chios,' depicting the Greek War of Independence, caused controversy by showing despair rather than heroism. Critics called it a 'massacre of art,' yet it became a landmark of Romanticism.¹

After encountering John Constable's work during an 1825 trip to England, Delacroix revolutionized his use of color, adding free brushstrokes and vibrant tones to his landscapes and skies.¹

In 'The Death of Sardanapalus,' Delacroix depicted an exotic, tragic scene with vivid colors. Inspired by Byron's play, this masterpiece encapsulates his Romantic passion and themes of violence.¹

Instead of visiting classical Greek or Roman ruins, Delacroix traveled to North Africa, finding new inspiration in 'exoticism.' This experience brought even greater color and vitality to his work.¹