Ecorché: Two Studies of the Muscles of the Shoulder and of the Arm, Raised

Ecorché: Two Studies of the Muscles of the Shoulder and of the Arm, Raised by Eugène Delacroix is an exceptional example of the artist's dedication to mastering anatomical drawing. Dating from the period 1810-1863, this work is technically a counterproof taken from an existing master drawing (Musée du Louvre RF 10672). It was executed using a combination of red and black chalk on laid paper, a layered medium often employed by Delacroix for capturing fine detail and depth in his preliminary work. This specific classification, known as an ecorché study, involves the meticulous depiction of the human figure with the skin removed, allowing the underlying musculature to be accurately studied and visualized.

The practice of intensive anatomical rendering was a crucial component of classical and Romantic artistic training, providing the foundational accuracy necessary for the dramatic and expressive poses Delacroix employed in his major history paintings. These two detailed studies focus specifically on the complex interaction of the shoulder girdle and the muscles of the raised arm, illustrating how tension shifts during active movement. Delacroix continually refined his understanding of structure throughout his career, ensuring that the dynamic forces depicted in his final compositions were physiologically sound.

Although created primarily as an internal study tool, the technical quality of the counterproof drawing elevates it beyond a mere academic exercise. The drawing offers valuable insight into the preparatory methods of one of the 19th century’s most important French Romantic masters. This significant piece of visual instruction and preparation, classified as a Drawing, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it helps illustrate Delacroix's profound commitment to depicting realistic human figures.