Ecorché: The Backs of Two Seated Figures

The anatomical study, Ecorché: The Backs of Two Seated Figures, was executed by Eugène Delacroix sometime between 1820 and 1863. This powerful drawing captures the detailed musculature of two seated male figures, rendered primarily using red and black fabricated chalk. Delacroix’s choice of these media allowed him to define mass and shadow through contrast, lending remarkable depth and volume to the complex rendering of sinew and bone. The fabricated chalk provided the artist with the control necessary to capture the precise contours required for such a rigorous academic exercise.

The ecorché drawing, depicting flayed figures, was a vital component of traditional artistic training during the nineteenth century, serving as fundamental preparation for depicting the human form in narrative or historical subjects. Delacroix continuously refined his understanding of anatomy, and this piece demonstrates his dedication to mastering underlying structure before applying the expressive brushwork typical of his Romantic style. The figures are captured in specific, dynamic poses, emphasizing how the back muscles respond to seating and tension. This type of anatomical mastery served as the classical foundation underpinning his later expressive and dramatic history paintings.

This exceptional example of academic draftsmanship spans the bulk of Delacroix’s long career, reflecting a lifelong commitment to technical precision. As a key work in the history of drawing, the piece is held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Because of the age of the original work, high-quality Ecorché: The Backs of Two Seated Figures prints are widely reproduced, making this important study broadly available through public domain initiatives worldwide.