Chief Mohammed-Ben-Abou

The influential Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863 created the print Chief Mohammed-Ben-Abou in 1833. This intimate portrait is executed using the specialized technique of etching on off-white chine paper, which was subsequently laid down (appliqué) onto a sturdier white wove backing sheet. Delacroix’s seminal journey to North Africa in 1832 profoundly shaped his artistic direction, marking the definitive beginning of his intensive engagement with Orientalist subjects and the cultural landscape of Morocco and Algeria.

The subject of the work, Chief Mohammed-Ben-Abou, was one of the many figures Delacroix documented extensively during his travels. This piece showcases the artist's masterful skill in printmaking; the dense, energetic etched lines effectively capture the rich textures of the Chief's attire and the intense gaze of his expression. This dramatic quality and freedom of draftsmanship distinguish Delacroix’s approach to the print medium, treating it not merely as a reproductive process but as a powerful avenue for spontaneous artistic expression. These resulting studies were crucial in establishing the artist's reputation in France as the leading interpreter of exotic foreign subjects.

This important example of 19th-century French printmaking is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The delicate technical preparation, involving the chine appliqué process, underscores the importance Delacroix assigned to the final visual impact of his works on paper. As a frequently referenced work from this era, high-resolution images of this print are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access for researchers studying the development of Orientalism in European art.