Marguerite at the Church, from Faust

Marguerite at the Church, from Faust is a powerful lithograph created by the pivotal French Romantic artist, Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, in 1828. This print, executed in black ink on ivory wove paper, exemplifies Delacroix's deep engagement with the expressive capabilities of the newly prevalent medium of lithography. Unlike traditional engraving, the lithographic process allowed the artist to capture the immediacy, gestural fluency, and dramatic tonal contrasts characteristic of his drawing style, perfectly suited for illustrating complex literary narratives.

The work belongs to Delacroix’s highly influential series of illustrations for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s seminal drama, Faust. Delacroix was among the first major French artists to widely promote Goethe’s Romantic masterpiece through visual art, finding profound inspiration in the themes of spiritual turmoil, passion, and damnation. Marguerite at the Church depicts the tragic heroine Marguerite during a moment of profound internal crisis as she seeks refuge or solace within the church, often accompanied by the looming, menacing figure of the demon Mephistopheles.

The composition relies on deep, textured shadows and stark highlights to heighten the psychological tension of the scene, demonstrating Delacroix’s mastery of the graphic arts during this critical period in France. This particular example is part of the permanent collection of prints held by the Art Institute of Chicago. The original Faust illustrations were widely circulated, significantly contributing to the dissemination of the artist’s reputation throughout Europe, cementing his status as a master of the Romantic movement. These important early prints remain essential references for understanding nineteenth-century French illustration.