Studies of Weapons, Shields, and Helmets, for the Salon du Roi, Palais Bourbon is a preparatory drawing executed by Eugène Delacroix between 1833 and 1838. This detailed graphite drawing represents the artist's intense focus on accuracy during the planning stages for one of his most important public commissions: the decorations for the Salon du Roi (King’s Chamber) at the Palais Bourbon, the seat of the French National Assembly. Delacroix received this prestigious assignment early in his career, and these specific studies reveal his meticulous process of accumulating visual references necessary for the expansive historical and allegorical murals.
Rendered entirely in graphite, the work consists of various precise renderings of antique and historical armaments. Delacroix carefully studied the curves of shields, the detailing on protective helmets, and the forms of various weapons, utilizing the medium to emphasize light, shadow, and three-dimensional form. Such detailed observation and planning were essential for lending authenticity and realism to the figures populating his large-scale historical compositions within the Salon. The act of making this graphite drawing allowed Delacroix to master the materiality of these objects before translating them into the complex color palettes and dynamic movements required for the final oil paintings.
Classified formally as a drawing, this piece demonstrates Delacroix’s skill not only as a great painter but as a draftsman dedicated to rigorous research. This specific study is preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Given its historical significance and its status as a foundational element of a major French civic decoration, the original work is a crucial piece of the artist's legacy. Due to its age and cultural importance, this preparatory sketch, alongside many other famous works by Delacroix, is frequently made available for academic research and high-quality prints, often entering the public domain.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.