Meta-Impressionism / other artists:
Eugène Delacroix
1798 – 1863
head of the Romantic School
Introduction:
This page is dedicated to Eugène Delacroix, one of the most important painters of the 19th century and seen as head of the Romantic School.
Delacroix as an artist:
Eugène Delacroix entered the École des Beaux-Arts in 1816 (R13,p174;R3,p658). He made his debut at the Salon↓ of 1822 (R13,p174;R3,p658;iR1). In 1827 he exhibited 12 paintings at the Salon (iR1). He then (reluctantly) was seen as the head of the Romantic school in France (R13,p174;R172,p61), though he saw himself as a Classicist (R322,p221). Inspired by the July-revolution of 1830, he painted his famous ‘Liberty leading the people’↑. In 1832 he made a trip to Maroc, Alger and Spain (R13,p174;R3,p658). After that oriental and exotic themes became important in his oeuvre.
Delacroix is seen as the counterpart of Ingres and even was his personal enemy (R172,p61;R3,p18). In 1855 at the Expositions Universelle, they rivaled with large numbers of entries↓. In 1857/01/10 Delacroix was appointed as member of the Académie, he had been rejected 7 times before (R3,p658;R88II,p1003). In his last years Delacroix lived in isolation and rejected the Salon and the Académie (R13,p175).
Delacroix left a large oeuvre and is seen as one of the most important painters of the 19th century (R13,p175). There are also a journal and many letters known of him (R13,p275).
Delacroix as a landscapist:
In 1825, together with Bonington, Delacroix went to England, where he admired works of Gainsborough and Turner (R13,p174;R3,p658;R293,p403). He also was influenced by Constable, who had a success at the Salon of 1824 (R13,p174;R172,p62;R3,p19;R293,p403). Delacroix also was influenced by the Barbizon painters (R172,p62).
Delacroix on art:
Delacroix made a study of colours in nature. “The flesh only receives its true colour in the open air and especially in the sun.” (R172,p62) He developed his own theory of colours. He observed that nuanced intermediate tones are created by the mixing of two complementary primary colours. ‘Red has many green shades and yellow purple shades, etc.’ In this way the intensity of the colours is enlarged. (R172,p62)
Delacroix at the Salon:
Delacroix made his debut at the Salon of 1822 (R13,p174;R3,p658;iR1). In 1827 he exhibited 12 paintings at the Salon (iR1). He would exhibited regularly at the Salon.
Note: more info will follow.
Delacroix at the Exposition Universelle:
Works of Delacroix were shown at several Expositions Universelle. During his life time in 1855 35! paintings of Delacroix were shown (iR1;R3,p658). Several of them had been shown before at the Salon. Posthumously works were shown at the Centennial exposition in 1900.
Note: more info will follow.
Delacroix at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts:
In 1885 Delacroix was honoured with a posthumous exhibition at the École des Beaux-arts.
Note: more info will follow.
Delacroix was highly admired:
Eugène Delacroix was highly admired as we see in a painting of Fantin-Latour from 1864. This is also demostrated in the famous writing of Paul Signac (1896-99) “D’Eugène Delacroix au néo-impressionnisme”. Delacroix was also often portrayed, for example by Astruc and Desboutin. Many of his works were copied, for example by Félix Bracquemond and Redon.
Sources:
My main sources are: My main sources are Rauch (2000=R293,p318-412); Petra ten-Doesschate Chu (2012=R322,p214-218); Krausse (R172,p60-62); Schilderkunst van A tot Z (1987=R13,p174/5+260+624/5); Walther (2013=R3); Roberts (1965=R61); the Salon database (iR1); catalogues of the Exposition Universelles (R231). See the link for other general References (=Rx), to the internet references (=iRx) and Musea (=M). See links for practical hints and abbreviations and for the subscription of the paintings.
Additional references:
- gallica.bnf.fr/delacroix (starting page with links to engravings of Delacroix; =iR40)
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Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism: Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863), head of the Romantic School. Last modified 2025/09/29. https://www.impressionism.nl/delacroix-1798-1863/”
Note: More info and pictures will be added later.