Muleteers of Tetuan

Muleteers of Tetuan by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, created in 1833, is a significant example of 19th-century French printmaking and Orientalist subject matter. This work is classified as a lithograph, executed in black ink on light-gray chine paper. The use of the thin, delicate chine laid down on a heavier white wove paper was a common practice of the time, enhancing the contrast and richness of the black tones achieved through the demanding lithographic process.

Delacroix produced this dynamic print immediately following his transformative 1832 diplomatic journey to North Africa. As the leading exponent of French Romanticism, the artist’s experiences, particularly those in Morocco, established his lifelong fascination with exotic, non-European imagery. This piece captures the bustling activity observed during his time in Tetuan (Tétouan), focusing on the movement and labor of the muleteers traversing a rocky path. The composition emphasizes movement and atmosphere, allowing the viewer a glimpse into a world far removed from contemporary France.

The finished work demonstrates Delacroix’s impressive ability to translate his signature energetic drawing style and profound compositional drama into a reproducible graphic form. Unlike the grand scale of his oil paintings, this print allows scholars and the public to closely examine how the artist adapted his style for graphic reproduction while maintaining dramatic intensity. As a key example of the artist’s prolific graphic output, the piece is held in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing continued access to this historic work, which remains vital for understanding 19th-century prints.