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Studies of Horses, Hands, and Feet (recto); Studies of Heads and Figures (verso)

ca. 1822–27
Not on view
Delacroix’s teacher Guérin advocated for the study of nature over imitating the antique. This proved fundamental to the younger artist’s development. He later wrote, "It is generally acknowledged that what is known as creation in the great painters is only a special manner in which each of them saw, coordinated, and rendered nature." Delacroix’s general manner of "coordinating and rendering nature" was summary, a quality exemplified in this study sheet of horses, hands, and feet observed from multiple angles. With minimal strokes of the pen, he could convey the quality of something seen.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Studies of Horses, Hands, and Feet (recto); Studies of Heads and Figures (verso)
  • Artist: Eugène Delacroix (French, Charenton-Saint-Maurice 1798–1863 Paris)
  • Date: ca. 1822–27
  • Medium: Pen and brown and iron gall ink (recto); graphite, pen and iron gall ink, brush and brown wash (verso)
  • Dimensions: Overall: 16 7/16 x 10 3/4 in. (41.8 x 27.3 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Gift from the Karen B. Cohen Collection of Eugène Delacroix, in honor of Marjorie Shelley, 2013
  • Object Number: 2013.1135.15
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Studies of Horses, Eugène Delacroix French, Graphite and traces of brown ink on laid paper
Studies of Horses
Eugène Delacroix
A Bearded Man, Standing, and a Classical Head, Eugène Delacroix French, Pen and brown ink on tracing paper (mounted on heavy wove paper)
A Bearded Man, Standing, and a Classical Head
Eugène Delacroix
1815–63
Les Français peints par eux-mêmes encyclopédie morale du dix-neuvième siècle. Paris, L. Curmer, 1840-1842.
Eugène Delacroix
19th century
La Pietà, Eugène Delacroix French, Etching on chine collé; second state of two
La Pietà
Multiple artists/makers
1852
Studies of a Goat, Eugène Delacroix French, Graphite on wove paper
Studies of a Goat
Eugène Delacroix
1798–1863

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