Studieblaadje met plantjes: witte kastanje is a delicate and precise observational drawing created by Eugène Delacroix in 1853. Executed simply on paper using pencil, the work exemplifies the artist's commitment to capturing the natural world, even in small, focused studies. The composition centers on a detailed rendering of the white chestnut plant, demonstrating Delacroix's skilled draftsmanship late in his career. This preparatory study, classified formally as a drawing, offers insight into the meticulous process underlying the celebrated Romantic master's output.
Although renowned for large-scale, emotionally charged oil paintings, Delacroix maintained a steady practice of botanical and figurative studies throughout the 1850s. This piece, created just a decade before his death, showcases his sustained interest in empirical observation, contrasting with the dramatic narratives usually associated with his name. The subtle shading and careful delineation of the foliage highlight the study's scientific rigor and attention to form. This important drawing is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it contributes significantly to the understanding of the nineteenth-century drawing tradition in France. As the work is now frequently available in the public domain due to its age, high-quality archival prints allow global access to this private moment of Delacroix's artistic research.