Death of Goetz von Berlichingen

The Death of Goetz von Berlichingen is a powerful print created by Eugène Delacroix in 1845. This dramatic composition is realized as a wood engraving, specifically preserved as a rare proof before letters, indicating a state before the final publication run. As a leading figure of the French Romantic movement, Delacroix frequently explored intense historical and literary narratives, and this work demonstrates his capacity to translate his characteristic expressive energy into the graphic medium. The detailed nature of this wood engraving required careful planning, showcasing the artist’s adaptability when moving from large-scale oil paintings to fine art prints.

The subject matter depicts the final moments of the historical German knight Götz von Berlichingen (c. 1480–1562), a figure famed for his chivalric spirit and the iron prosthetic hand he wore, whose legend was popularized by Goethe’s 1773 play. The scene is set inside a humble house, where the knight lies dying, his physical struggle now giving way to peace. Delacroix masterfully utilizes the sharp contrasts inherent in wood engraving to focus attention on the central figure of the dying man, who is surrounded by attending figures. The composition includes both men, perhaps family or retainers, and women, whose gestures convey solemn grief and witness the knight’s death. Details of the rustic interior and glimpses of other houses visible through the windows ground the tragic moment in a defined, confined setting.

While celebrated primarily for his large canvases, Delacroix contributed significantly to the production of high-quality book illustrations and loose-sheet prints. This particular wood engraving is an essential record of the artist’s illustrative endeavors and resides within the comprehensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.