Studies of Twelve Greek and Roman Coins

Studies of Twelve Greek and Roman Coins is a print created by Eugène Delacroix in 1825. This work is an early and powerful example of Delacroix’s engagement with lithography, a medium that allowed him to reproduce detailed imagery efficiently and disseminate his classical studies. This particular impression, classified as a print, represents the second state of four, indicating the progressive refinement of the plate by the artist before the final edition was struck.

The lithograph functions as a detailed scholarly study, featuring twelve distinct coin designs arranged in a three-by-four grid. Each small vignette presents a meticulously rendered classical profile, showcasing the idealized forms of both men and women typical of ancient Greek and Roman coinage. Delacroix’s precise draftsmanship in reproducing these classical profiles highlights the period’s deep interest in antiquity. The deliberate study of historical coins and medals, often mediated through prints and casts, was central to academic training during the early nineteenth century, providing essential models for proportion and drapery.

This intensive focus on classical source material demonstrates Delacroix's commitment to mastering form, even as his painting style increasingly embraced the dramatic movement and color associated with Romanticism. As a significant example of French prints from the Romantic period, this work by Delacroix is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The accessibility of such detailed lithographs ensured that classical motifs could be widely studied. Today, the composition remains an important reference for scholars examining Delacroix's technical processes, and prints of this public domain artwork are frequently utilized for educational purposes.