Jane Shore

Jane Shore by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, executed in 1828, captures a moment of dramatic historical pathos characteristic of the French Romantic movement. The subject is Elizabeth Shore, known as Jane Shore, the famous mistress of England’s King Edward IV, whose life of luxury ended tragically with her public penance and subsequent descent into poverty following the king's death.

This powerful image is rendered as a lithograph, classified as a print, demonstrating Delacroix's early engagement with printmaking techniques to disseminate highly expressive subjects. The technical complexity involves the use of black ink applied to light-gray China paper, a delicate base which was then skillfully laid down onto a piece of durable white wove paper. This specific medium allows 1798-1863 to achieve rich tonal variations and stark contrasts, perfectly suiting the emotionally charged subject matter. The monochromatic palette enhances the sense of melancholy and historical gravity that Delacroix sought in his early works.

The creation date of 1828 places this print firmly in the burgeoning era of Romanticism in France, where artists favored narratives drawn from literature and history that explored intense emotion and human suffering. Delacroix’s approach to Jane Shore reflects his commitment to expressive storytelling rather than academic formalism.

As a significant example of French graphic arts from the period, this work is permanently housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The importance of such prints ensures that details and high-resolution images are often made available to the public through public domain initiatives, offering researchers and enthusiasts access to this masterful example of Delacroix’s early repertoire.