A Gaul Killing Himself and His Wife, after Perrier

"A Gaul Killing Himself and His Wife, after Perrier" is an early and dramatic drawing by the pivotal French Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix. Created during a critical period of his academic development, spanning 1817 to 1827, this study utilizes pen and iron gall ink. The use of iron gall ink lends a permanent, sharp intensity to the line work, enabling Delacroix to emphasize the tragic weight and anatomical tension of the figures in this powerful scene of simultaneous suicide.

The subject, depicting a defeated Gaul choosing death over capture for himself and his spouse, draws on themes of classical heroism and sacrifice common in 17th and 18th-century European art. The crucial notation, "after Perrier," confirms that this work is a reproduction or academic study based on the composition of François Perrier (1590-1650), a prominent French painter of the preceding century. Such copying was a mandatory component of rigorous artistic training, allowing the young Delacroix to master classical composition and narrative structure under the influence of established masters.

This intense preparatory drawing is a significant example of Delacroix's engagement with dramatic historical subject matter before his maturity as a Romantic painter. It resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, providing insight into the artist's foundational techniques. Like many influential works from this era, high-quality prints of this Delacroix drawing are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access for researchers and enthusiasts studying the evolution of French drawing techniques.