Illustrations for Faust: Faust and Méphistophélés horse riding on the Sabbath

Illustrations for Faust: Faust and Méphistophélès horse riding on the Sabbath, created by Eugène Delacroix in 1828, is a pivotal work in Romantic printmaking. This lithograph captures a dramatic moment from Goethe’s tragic drama, visualizing the descent of the scholarly Faust into moral compromise guided by the cunning Méphistophélès. Executed in Paris, France, this piece belongs to Delacroix's famous series illustrating the first part of Faust, a literary obsession that fueled the artist’s imagination.

Delacroix’s skill in lithography is evident in the dynamic motion and deep tonal contrasts achieved through the greasy crayon on stone. The scene shows the two figures galloping wildly on horseback, likely en route to the demonic Sabbath (Walpurgis Night). The dark, swirling atmosphere and energetic lines exemplify the core tenets of French Romanticism, favoring intense emotionality and dramatic narrative over neoclassical clarity. The artist’s powerful graphic style brought international attention to the German literary masterpiece, influencing visual interpretations for decades to come.

As one of the most significant Romantic prints created in France, this work remains a cornerstone of the movement's engagement with dramatic literature. The original lithograph is classified as a print and resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Due to its age and cultural importance, high-resolution prints of Illustrations for Faust: Faust and Méphistophélès horse riding on the Sabbath are often available through public domain sources, allowing wider appreciation of Delacroix's powerful narrative vision.