Studies of a Horse and Rider for "Heliodorus Driven from the Temple"

Studies of a Horse and Rider for "Heliodorus Driven from the Temple" by Eugène Delacroix, executed circa 1849-1850, is a vigorous preparatory drawing exploring key dynamic elements for his massive final wall composition. Rendered using pen and iron gall ink over graphite sketches, this work captures the intensity of motion and anatomical detail crucial to the finished painting. The use of iron gall ink provides sharp, dark contrast and defines the muscular structure of the horse and the frantic energy of the rider, while Delacroix’s quick, expressive pen strokes convey the immediacy of the action.

This study relates directly to one of Delacroix's last great commissions, the mural Heliodorus Driven from the Temple, located in the Chapelle des Saints-Anges at the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris. The subject, drawn from the biblical Book of Maccabees, required the dramatic depiction of divine intervention, specifically the miraculous appearance of a celestial rider whose arrival violently disrupts the scene. Delacroix sought to refine the complex, often chaotic interaction between the charging steed and its mounted figure, a central motif in French Romanticism. This piece exemplifies the artist’s mature draftsmanship, where rapid linear energy establishes form and volume necessary for the grand scale of the final mural.

As a pivotal example of preparatory work, this drawing provides deep insight into Delacroix's creative process and his mastery of composition before translating concepts onto the canvas. The work is classified as a drawing and resides in the distinguished collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to the lasting cultural impact of Romantic drawings like this, high-quality digital prints and images are often sought by researchers worldwide, frequently made available through public domain initiatives associated with major cultural institutions like the Met.