Eugène Delacroix

Eugène Delacroix - Artists, Timeline and Childhood

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Eugène Delacroix's Personal Details

Eugene Delacroix was an eminent French Romantic artist of his time and considered to be the forerunner of the French Romantic school

InformationDetail
BirthdayApril 26, 1798
Died onAugust 13, 1863
NationalityFrench
FamousArtists & Painters, Artists, Miscellaneous
SiblingsCharles-Henri Delacroix, Henriette de Verninac
Known asEugene Delacroix, Eugne Delacroix, Eugène Delacroix
Universities
  • Lycée Louis-le-Grand
Birth PlaceCharenton-Saint-Maurice, Île-de-France, France
GenderMale
FatherCharles-François Delacroix
MotherVictoire Oeben
Sun SignTaurus
Born inCharenton-Saint-Maurice, Île-de-France, France
Famous asPainter
Died at Age65

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Who is Eugène Delacroix?

Ferdinand Eugène Victor Delacroix more famous as Eugene Delacroix was an eminent French artist of his time. He is considered to be the forerunner of the French Romantic school. Often referred as ‘master of color’, he was a student of the English Romantic artisans and inspired by their techniques he worked out a peerless and remarkable use of vivid brushstrokes. The works of the Impressionists were extensively inspired by his study of the optic color effects. His intense approach for the exotic had a lasting impact on the artists of the Symbolist movement. Through many of his masterpieces he had effectively illustrated various historical and contemporary events. His canvas also staged literary works of William Shakespeare, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Dante Alighieri and Walter Scott among others. He was inspired by the works of Michelangelo and Peter Paul Rubens and their influence was clearly visible in his works. While he travelled across Europe and certain places in North Africa, Morocco had a special influence on him which had an obvious illustration in his works. Though some critics were vexed by his choice of illustrating violent subjects, display of intense passion and use of vivid colors, he successfully garnered positive reviews from many others. In his successful long career he received umpteen numbers of commissions on a continual basis from the French Government. He is considered a genius both by the modern day artists and critics and continues to remain an inspiration for his contribution to the world of art.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born at Charenton-Saint-Maurice on April 26, 1798, in Île-de-France, in the family of Charles-François Delacroix and Victoire Oeben though certain reasons point out that his biological father was Talleyrand, a family friend.

Charles-François Delacroix was a Minister of Foreign Affairs and worked as governmental prefect in Bordeaux and in Marseilles. Eugène’s mother infused in him the love for art and literature. Charles died in 1805 and Victoire died in 1814 leaving him as an orphan. Talleyrand succeeded Charles as Minister of Foreign Affairs and later served the Restoration and the King, Louis-Philippe and finally became an ambassador of France in Great Britain. Talleyrand protected Eugène all through in his career as a painter.

He attended the ‘Lycée Louis-le-Grand’ school in Paris and the ‘Lycée Pierre Corneille’ school in Rouen. He showed great interest in art and literature and won many awards for his drawings.

In 1815 he started learning the neoclassical style of eminent French painter Jacques-Louis David under the guidance of academic painter Pierre-Narcisse Guérin.

In 1816 he joined one of the distinguished art schools of France, ‘École des Beaux-Arts’ in Paris.

Career

He was inspired by the works of Michelangelo and Peter Paul Rubens, influence of whom was visible in many of his early works. Religious subject matters were reflected through many of his paintings.

He was also inspired by the works of Théodore Géricault, a fellow French artist who was considered one of the pioneers of Romanticism in art. ‘The Raft of the Medusa’, a masterpiece of Théodore Géricault had a great impact on Delacroix.

His first major work ‘The Barque of Dante’ also referred as ‘Dante and Virgil in Hell’ was inspired from the epic poem of Dante Alighieri, the ‘Divine Comedy’. The painting was exhibited at the prestigious ‘Paris Salon’ in 1822 and was considered one of the forerunners for the augmentation of the Romantic Movement. Though the work was scoffed off in general, the state purchased it for the ‘Luxembourg Galleries’.

In 1822 he became in-charge of architectural decorations with the aid of statesman and historian Adolphe Thiers.

He knew Antoine-Jean Gros, the famous historical painter and also the neoclassical painter Baron François Gérard. He was inspired by his friends Frédéric Chopin, a pianist, Richard Parkes Bonington, an English painter and George Sand, a French writer.

Many of his paintings of the 1820s reflect recent historical events including the Greek War of Independence and its atrocities. Two such paintings are ‘The Massacre at Chios’ produced in 1824 and the ‘Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi’ produced in 1826. Impact of extreme emotion, conflicts and violence were profound in his works that varied on different subjects including history and literature and were marked with use of bold colors and vivid brushstrokes.

He was fascinated by the English landscape paintings and in 1825 he travelled England and came across many eminent artists including Joseph Mallord William Turner, Richard Parkes Bonington and Thomas Lawrence. He studied the techniques of such English painters and developed his skills during this time.

During this time he also produced numerous romantic arts of varied themes. One such prominent work of Delacroix was ‘Death of Sardanapalus’ inspired from a play by Byron, created between 1827 and 1828. Display of intense emotion and tragedy and use of vivid colors featuring exotic costumes dominated the painting. It was not exhibited for many years and was later tagged by many critics as gruesome imagination combining lust and death.

He also delved into creating lithographs from the tragic play of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, ‘Faust’ and from Shakespeare.

His next major painting ‘Liberty Leading the People’, produced in 1830 was a portrayal of the French Revolution. Through this painting he seemed to convey the spirit of freedom, fraternity and equality that prevailed among the people of Paris during the revolution. The painting that was bought by the government of France in 1831 brought out a change in his style with a quieter tone. This painting was also removed from public view until Louis Napoleon, the newly elected President displayed it.

In 1832 he travelled North Africa in Morocco and Algeria. Basically on a diplomatic mission he had the opportunity to have an insider’s look of the locals which mesmerised him. He was introduced to a culture that differed vastly from French life. The lifestyle, culture, dress sense and interests of the people and their women fascinated him that changed his work of art. He extensively used Moroccan subjects and themes in his art for the rest of his life.

Some of his noted works inspired by the new world he encountered includes ‘Women of Algiers in their apartment’ in 1834, ‘Jewish Wedding in Morocco’ from 1837 to 1841, Arab Saddling his Horse in 1855 and Arab Horses Fighting in a Stable in 1860.

Starting from 1833 he worked on a larger scale after receiving several commissions to paint murals on walls and ceilings of public buildings in Paris. His works include Salon du Roi in the Chambre des Députés, Palais Bourbon (1833 – 1837), Library at the Palais du Luxembourg and Library at the Palais Bourbon (1838 to approx. 1848), Church of St. Denis du Saint Sacrement (1843) and ceiling of ‘Galerie d'Apollon’ of the Louvre (1848-1850) among others.

His painting ‘Medea about to Kill Her Children’ inspired from Greek mythology became a sensation. The painting which was exhibited in Salon in 1838 was later purchased by the State and sent to the Lille Musée des Beaux-Arts.

He was one of the members of the ‘Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts’. The society which was chaired by his friend, writer Théophile Gautier and Aimé Millet serving as deputy chairman was formed in 1862. It was composed of several painters and exhibitors. The society arranged for a retrospective exhibition of Delacroix’s paintings and lithographs after his death in 1864.

Personal Life & Legacy

He used to stay in Paris in a small cottage in Champrosay. He was looked after by his housekeeper Jeanne-Marie le Guillou.

He died on August 13, 1863, in Paris and was buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery’.

Trivia

Pablo Picasso, who was fascinated by Eugène Delacroix’s use of color, examined and produced several studies of Delacroix’s 1834 painting ‘Women of Algiers in their apartment’.

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Eugène Delacroix biography timelines

  • // 26th Apr 1798
    He was born at Charenton-Saint-Maurice on April 26, 1798, in Île-de-France, in the family of Charles-François Delacroix and Victoire Oeben though certain reasons point out that his biological father was Talleyrand, a family friend.
  • // 1805 To 1814
    Charles-François Delacroix was a Minister of Foreign Affairs and worked as governmental prefect in Bordeaux and in Marseilles. Eugène’s mother infused in him the love for art and literature. Charles died in 1805 and Victoire died in 1814 leaving him as an orphan. Talleyrand succeeded Charles as Minister of Foreign Affairs and later served the Restoration and the King, Louis-Philippe and finally became an ambassador of France in Great Britain. Talleyrand protected Eugène all through in his career as a painter.
  • // 1815
    In 1815 he started learning the neoclassical style of eminent French painter Jacques-Louis David under the guidance of academic painter Pierre-Narcisse Guérin.
  • // 1816
    In 1816 he joined one of the distinguished art schools of France, ‘École des Beaux-Arts’ in Paris.
  • // 1822
    His first major work ‘The Barque of Dante’ also referred as ‘Dante and Virgil in Hell’ was inspired from the epic poem of Dante Alighieri, the ‘Divine Comedy’. The painting was exhibited at the prestigious ‘Paris Salon’ in 1822 and was considered one of the forerunners for the augmentation of the Romantic Movement. Though the work was scoffed off in general, the state purchased it for the ‘Luxembourg Galleries’.
  • // 1822
    In 1822 he became in-charge of architectural decorations with the aid of statesman and historian Adolphe Thiers.
  • // 1824 To 1826
    Many of his paintings of the 1820s reflect recent historical events including the Greek War of Independence and its atrocities. Two such paintings are ‘The Massacre at Chios’ produced in 1824 and the ‘Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi’ produced in 1826. Impact of extreme emotion, conflicts and violence were profound in his works that varied on different subjects including history and literature and were marked with use of bold colors and vivid brushstrokes.
  • // 1825
    He was fascinated by the English landscape paintings and in 1825 he travelled England and came across many eminent artists including Joseph Mallord William Turner, Richard Parkes Bonington and Thomas Lawrence. He studied the techniques of such English painters and developed his skills during this time.
  • // 1827 To 1828
    During this time he also produced numerous romantic arts of varied themes. One such prominent work of Delacroix was ‘Death of Sardanapalus’ inspired from a play by Byron, created between 1827 and 1828. Display of intense emotion and tragedy and use of vivid colors featuring exotic costumes dominated the painting. It was not exhibited for many years and was later tagged by many critics as gruesome imagination combining lust and death.
  • // 1830 To 1831
    His next major painting ‘Liberty Leading the People’, produced in 1830 was a portrayal of the French Revolution. Through this painting he seemed to convey the spirit of freedom, fraternity and equality that prevailed among the people of Paris during the revolution. The painting that was bought by the government of France in 1831 brought out a change in his style with a quieter tone. This painting was also removed from public view until Louis Napoleon, the newly elected President displayed it.
  • // 1832
    In 1832 he travelled North Africa in Morocco and Algeria. Basically on a diplomatic mission he had the opportunity to have an insider’s look of the locals which mesmerised him. He was introduced to a culture that differed vastly from French life. The lifestyle, culture, dress sense and interests of the people and their women fascinated him that changed his work of art. He extensively used Moroccan subjects and themes in his art for the rest of his life.
  • // 1834
    Pablo Picasso, who was fascinated by Eugène Delacroix’s use of color, examined and produced several studies of Delacroix’s 1834 painting ‘Women of Algiers in their apartment’.
  • // 1838
    His painting ‘Medea about to Kill Her Children’ inspired from Greek mythology became a sensation. The painting which was exhibited in Salon in 1838 was later purchased by the State and sent to the Lille Musée des Beaux-Arts.
  • // 1862 To 1864
    He was one of the members of the ‘Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts’. The society which was chaired by his friend, writer Théophile Gautier and Aimé Millet serving as deputy chairman was formed in 1862. It was composed of several painters and exhibitors. The society arranged for a retrospective exhibition of Delacroix’s paintings and lithographs after his death in 1864.
  • // 13th Aug 1863
    He died on August 13, 1863, in Paris and was buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery’.

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Eugène Delacroix's FAQ

  • What is Eugène Delacroix birthday?

    Eugène Delacroix was born at 1798-04-26

  • When was Eugène Delacroix died?

    Eugène Delacroix was died at 1863-08-13

  • Where was Eugène Delacroix died?

    Eugène Delacroix was died in Paris

  • Which age was Eugène Delacroix died?

    Eugène Delacroix was died at age 65

  • Where is Eugène Delacroix's birth place?

    Eugène Delacroix was born in Charenton-Saint-Maurice, Île-de-France, France

  • What is Eugène Delacroix nationalities?

    Eugène Delacroix's nationalities is French

  • Who is Eugène Delacroix siblings?

    Eugène Delacroix's siblings is Charles-Henri Delacroix, Henriette de Verninac

  • What was Eugène Delacroix universities?

    Eugène Delacroix studied at Lycée Louis-le-Grand

  • Who is Eugène Delacroix's father?

    Eugène Delacroix's father is Charles-François Delacroix

  • Who is Eugène Delacroix's mother?

    Eugène Delacroix's mother is Victoire Oeben

  • What is Eugène Delacroix's sun sign?

    Eugène Delacroix is Taurus

  • How famous is Eugène Delacroix?

    Eugène Delacroix is famouse as Painter