Head of a Horse, after the Parthenon

Head of a Horse, after the Parthenon is a key drawing by Eugène Delacroix, executed between 1820 and 1830. This detailed study, which is classified as a drawing, showcases the artist’s deep engagement with classical antiquity, specifically the renowned marble sculptures of the Parthenon's East Pediment. Delacroix created this work using pen and brown ink, applied over faint traces of black chalk on laid paper. This layering of media demonstrates his meticulous approach to capturing anatomical form and volume, translating the ancient carving into a graphic, energized representation.

As a leading figure of the French Romantic movement, Delacroix frequently studied classical models to enhance the dynamism and realism in his major works. The Parthenon marbles, accessible through collections like the Elgin Marbles in London, provided an invaluable resource for studying expressive motion and animal anatomy. Here, Delacroix focuses intensely on the musculature and vital expression of the horses, conveying both strength and nobility inherent in the subject. The precise application of the ink lines defines the texture of the coat and the tension of the harness, capturing the spirit of the antique model with Romantic vigor.

This important study remains a vital example of Delacroix’s skill as a draftsman and his lifelong reverence for the classical tradition. The work is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it contributes to the vast public domain resource of classical studies utilized by 19th-century masters. Researchers often examine such preparatory drawings for insight into the artistic process leading to Delacroix's larger, celebrated oil paintings.