Fronte-boeuf and the Jew, from Ivanhoe

The dramatic lithograph Fronte-boeuf and the Jew, from Ivanhoe was created in 1829 by the influential French Romantic artist, Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863. This piece exemplifies Delacroix’s sustained interest in literary subjects, drawing specifically from Sir Walter Scott’s immensely popular 1819 novel, Ivanhoe. Executed as a precise lithograph in black on white wove paper, the technique allowed Delacroix to achieve a stark, chiaroscuro effect essential for conveying the dramatic tension of the confrontation.

The subject depicts a moment of high peril from the novel where the ruthless Norman baron Front-de-Boeuf attempts to extort a ransom from the Jewish moneylender, Isaac of York. Delacroix (1798-1863) excelled at capturing intense psychological drama and violent themes, hallmarks of the Romantic movement flourishing in France during the early 19th century. The careful use of the lithographic medium in the 1820s was pivotal for disseminating visual interpretations of popular literature, ensuring that prints of this quality reached a wide audience and cemented the artist's reputation.

The work showcases Delacroix’s masterful handling of light and shadow, which emphasizes both the cruelty of the oppressor and the desperation inherent in Isaac’s situation. By focusing on literary rather than solely mythological subjects, Delacroix contributed significantly to the shift in artistic priorities during the era. This significant 19th-century print is classified as a lithograph and resides in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a historically important example of early Romantic printmaking, this work is widely referenced today, with high-quality images often accessible through public domain art initiatives.