Figures from an Antique Frieze, after Bartoli

The detailed drawing, Figures from an Antique Frieze, after Bartoli, was executed by Eugène Delacroix during the formative period between 1817 and 1827. Created in precise graphite on paper, this classification drawing reflects the essential academic practice of copying classical sources. Delacroix’s reference point was the engraved documentation of Roman antiquities published by Pietro Santi Bartoli, a 17th-century artist known for his meticulous reproductions of ancient reliefs and sculptures. This reliance on Bartoli’s prints allowed Delacroix to study classical figural movement and composition even before his extensive travels.

The focus of this piece is the idealized rendering of figures, capturing the rhythmic flow of drapery and the subtle delineation of musculature characteristic of high classical art. By replicating the forms found in an antique frieze, Delacroix honed the mastery of anatomy and linear precision necessary for the monumental historical paintings that would define his later Romantic career.

Although Delacroix would eventually lead the Romantic challenge against Neoclassical rigidity, these early exercises provided the technical foundation that underpinned his dramatic flair. The meticulous graphite handling captures the texture of the original stone relief. This important preparatory work is housed within the esteemed permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Documenting the crucial early development of the French master, the image is frequently reproduced, and high-quality prints can often be accessed through public domain resources, allowing broader study of Delacroix’s foundational technique.