Letter to Adrien Dauzats

The work Letter to Adrien Dauzats, executed by Eugène Delacroix in 1845, offers a direct glimpse into the private correspondence network of this major figure of the Romantic movement. Classified as an "Other" work due to its nature as a manuscript drawing or document, this piece utilizes the focused and fluid medium of pen and brown ink. The technique highlights the quick, assured hand associated with Delacroix’s preparatory sketches and personal notations, revealing an intimate side of the artist’s prolific output during the mid-19th century.

The recipient, Adrien Dauzats (1804-1868), was a fellow French artist known primarily for his detailed architectural scenes and early depictions of travel to the Near East. The letter thus reflects the dynamic artistic and social milieu of 1845, a period when Delacroix was deeply engaged in major public commissions and the evolution of his mature style. Though the precise textual content of the communication is generally the primary focus of scholarly study, the handwriting itself serves as a tangible link to the creative mind of the artist.

Delacroix's extensive correspondence is crucial for understanding his professional dealings and intellectual life. Documents such as this provide context to his better-known oil paintings and drawings. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this piece as part of its extensive collection of 19th-century French drawings and manuscripts, ensuring its availability for ongoing research. Because many personal documents like this are entering the public domain, their archival value is amplified, allowing researchers and enthusiasts to study high-quality prints of the handwritten work, providing widespread access to the master's private history.