Sheet of Seven Antique Medals

Sheet of Seven Antique Medals by Eugène Delacroix (French, 1798-1863) is an accomplished early print, executed in 1825. The work utilizes the medium of lithograph in black on light gray wove paper, showcasing the artist’s mastery of this relatively modern graphic technique. Delacroix, a foundational figure in French Romanticism, frequently drew upon classical sources for inspiration, and this meticulous study reflects that enduring scholarly engagement with antiquity.

The piece depicts seven distinct ancient medals, likely Roman or Greek in origin, rendered with precise detail as preparatory references or as an exercise in capturing form. The arrangement of these items reflects the contemporary artistic interest in numismatics and the systematic study of historical artifacts that flourished in France during the early nineteenth century. Although primarily celebrated for his monumental oil paintings, Delacroix maintained a vigorous practice in graphic arts, producing numerous prints that allowed for the broader dissemination of imagery.

This lithograph captures the sculptural quality inherent in the low-relief carvings of the medals, demonstrating Delacroix’s ability to translate three-dimensional objects onto a two-dimensional plane. Created when the artist was twenty-seven, the work provides important documentation of the classical vocabulary that informed his later, more dramatic historical compositions. This print is held within the distinguished European collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Its inclusion in numerous public domain resources today ensures continued accessibility for scholars examining Delacroix’s technical development and his lifelong dialogue with classical forms.