Eugène Delacroix

Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) was a major French painter of the 19th century, considered the leader of the Romantic movement in painting. Born in Charenton-Saint-Maurice in 1798, he received a classical education at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and quickly distinguished himself with a bold style opposed to the prevailing Neoclassicism.

His work is characterized by an expressive use of color, a sense of movement, and dramatic intensity that influenced many later artists. One of his most famous paintings, Liberty Leading the People (1830), celebrates the July Revolution and embodies both political engagement and the evocative power of his art. Other masterpieces, such as The Massacre at Chios (1824) and The Death of Sardanapalus (1827), reflect his fascination with the Orient and historical subjects filled with violence and emotion.

Traveling to North Africa in 1832, he discovered new inspirations and enriched his palette with vivid colors and striking contrasts, which greatly influenced his Orientalist paintings. His innovative approach and freedom in paint application anticipated the techniques of the Impressionists.

Delacroix also created numerous decorative frescoes for prestigious monuments, such as the library of the Palais-Bourbon and the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, where he explored monumental compositions with a strong narrative sense.