Studies of Seven Greek Coins

Studies of Seven Greek Coins by Eugène Delacroix, executed in 1825, exemplifies the Romantic movement's profound engagement with antiquity and the study of classical sources. This work is a lithograph, classified specifically as the first of five known states, demonstrating the artist’s careful, iterative approach to printmaking. Produced relatively early in Delacroix’s career, the piece reflects his interest in collecting and studying ancient artifacts, a common pursuit among Parisian artists and scholars of the era.

The composition meticulously renders the intricate details found on ancient Greek coinage. Seven distinct coins are presented, each featuring common motifs of classical numismatics. Delacroix analyzes the powerful symbolism etched into the metal, prominently featuring detailed profiles of heroic men, potentially rulers or deities, alongside depictions of powerful fauna such as dynamic horses and heraldic eagles. Delacroix utilizes the lithographic medium to capture the varied textures and worn surfaces of the ancient coins, highlighting the sculptural quality of the reliefs and maintaining the sharpness required for detailed reference studies. As the first state, this impression showcases the initial pure rendering before subsequent alterations were made to the matrix.

The creation of such detailed prints allowed Delacroix to analyze form and composition outside of painting, serving both as preparatory material and as finished studies circulated among his peers. The widespread appeal of such academic references has ensured that many detailed studies of this type have entered the public domain over time. This significant example of early lithography by Delacroix is preserved in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serving as a key document of his technical experimentation and commitment to classical subjects in the 1820s.