Rebecca and the Wounded Ivanhoe

Rebecca and the Wounded Ivanhoe is an intense oil on canvas painting created by Eugène Delacroix in 1823. This seminal work of French Romanticism draws directly from Sir Walter Scott's widely popular 1819 novel, Ivanhoe, a key source for historical revivalism and literary subjects in 19th-century European art. The scene captures a critical moment within the narrative: the Jewish healer, Rebecca, is tending to the grievously wounded Christian knight, Ivanhoe, inside the besieged castle bedroom of Front-de-Boeuf.

Delacroix captures the dramatic tension through his vigorous brushwork and rich coloration, characteristic of his emerging style that prioritized emotion over classical structure. The composition centers on the two figures within the intimate setting of the chamber. The subject matter features the central man, Ivanhoe, weakened and resting on the bed, contrasted by the focused energy of the women surrounding him. The presence of dented and polished armor, including a helmet placed on the ground, emphasizes the knight’s perilous circumstances and the ongoing conflict just outside the bedroom walls. Rebecca leans forward anxiously, conveying the internal conflict and sense of high stakes that Delacroix prized.

Classified as a major early work demonstrating the artist's commitment to literary subject matter and emotional dynamism, this painting anticipates Delacroix’s subsequent monumental compositions. The canvas resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. As the artist’s work is now largely in the public domain, high-quality prints reflecting the vibrancy of this work are frequently available for study and appreciation, cementing the lasting influence of Rebecca and the Wounded Ivanhoe.