Faust

Faust is a monumental lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix in 1828, forming a key component of the artist’s celebrated illustrated edition of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s epic tragedy. This specific impression is cataloged as the second state, reflecting the refinement and adjustments Delacroix made to the printing matrix during the production process. As a lithograph, this work exemplifies the French Romantic master’s early adoption of the medium, which allowed for a fluidity and richness of texture difficult to achieve through traditional engraving or etching.

Delacroix dedicated considerable energy to visualizing the intricate narrative of Faust, producing eighteen distinct prints for the published book. His illustrations significantly shaped the visual reception of Goethe’s work in France and remain some of the most dramatic and powerful prints of the nineteenth century. Delacroix expertly employed strong contrasts and energetic compositions to convey the profound moral and psychological struggle at the story's core.

The subject matter prominently features the dark forces at play, including the portrayal of demons and the seductive influence of Mephistopheles, elements central to Delacroix’s dramatic vocabulary. The artist’s commitment to capturing this literary darkness established a benchmark for subsequent Romantic illustrators. This important example of Delacroix’s graphic work, classified under the category of a book illustration, is held in the comprehensive collection of prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of their historical significance and age, many prints from this influential series are now frequently found in the public domain, ensuring wide accessibility for scholarly review.