The detailed drawing Allegory of Love: Infidelity is a significant study by the French Romantic master, Eugène Delacroix (French, 1798-1863), executed after the complex Renaissance composition by Paolo Caliari, called Veronese (Italian, 1528-1588). Created during a period spanning 1818 to 1863, the work demonstrates Delacroix’s lifelong practice of engaging with historical masters from Italy and the High Renaissance to refine his own artistic skills and explore classical allegorical themes.
Classified as a Drawing, the piece utilizes graphite on tan tracing paper, which was subsequently laid down onto ivory wove paper for stability and preservation. This technique allowed Delacroix to accurately capture the scale and posture of the figures from the original Italian canvas, adapting the complex subject matter of infidelity and emotional betrayal for his own visual lexicon. The composition itself, rooted in the culture of 16th-century Italy, centers on the dynamic tension and moral drama implicit in the concept of flawed love.
Delacroix’s meticulous study provides valuable insight into the preparation necessary for his grander historical and literary paintings, showing his dedication to composition through copying. This important work resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Although the study itself is unique, Veronese's highly influential compositions are foundational masterworks, and related images derived from the European tradition are often found in the public domain, allowing researchers and enthusiasts access to high-quality prints and references.
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