Faust, Mephistopheles and the Poodle, from Faust

Faust, Mephistopheles and the Poodle, from Faust, created by the French Romantic master Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) in 1828, is a significant example of his achievements in the graphic arts. This print depicts a pivotal moment from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s epic tragedy, where the disguised demon Mephistopheles appears to the scholar Faust in the form of a black poodle. Delacroix utilized the medium of lithograph in black on ivory wove paper, which was subsequently laid down on white wove paper, a process that allowed for dramatic contrasts and expressionistic shadows characteristic of the Romantic movement in France.

Delacroix developed a deep fascination with the German text, and his set of lithographs illustrating Faust became widely influential across Europe, solidifying his reputation not only as a painter but also as a powerful printmaker. The artist's translation of the literary drama into visual form captures the tension and anticipation preceding the demonic contract. The choice of lithography, a relatively new medium in the early 19th century, suited Delacroix's energetic draftsmanship, enabling the rapid creation of complex tonal compositions. This particular scene, Faust, Mephistopheles and the Poodle, showcases the psychological depth Delacroix brought to literary subjects.

As a key example of nineteenth-century French prints, this work demonstrates the era’s taste for narrative combined with technical experimentation. Dating to 1828, this seminal lithograph is often treated as public domain material, making the influence of this masterwork highly accessible. This significant piece of graphic art is permanently housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.