Figure Studies, after Flaxman

Figure Studies, after Flaxman by Eugène Delacroix is a significant drawing created early in the artist’s prolific career, dating approximately between 1816 and 1826. This academic study was meticulously executed using graphite, pen, and the characteristic deep tone of iron gall ink. The composition functions as a close interpretation of figures conceived by the famed Neoclassical sculptor John Flaxman, whose influential outline engravings provided essential models for art students across Europe in the early 19th century. Delacroix’s engagement with classical precedents through copying reveals his foundational commitment to mastering human anatomy and proportion, a core requirement of the French academic system during his training years.

The technique employed in this piece highlights Delacroix’s skill in rendering complex forms. He utilized the precise strokes of graphite to define initial contours, subsequently reinforcing and accentuating details using the rich, permanent pigment of the iron gall ink. This drawing practice, focused heavily on line and contour, was integral to his stylistic evolution, preparing him for the dynamic movement and heightened drama that would define his later Romantic masterpieces.

As one of the earliest examples of his surviving preparatory work, this piece offers crucial insight into the artistic development of Delacroix. The drawing is proudly held within the collection of European drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Due to the historical age and classification of this work, high-quality images are often made available in the public domain, allowing collectors and enthusiasts worldwide to acquire fine art prints based on Delacroix's foundational studies.