Study for Marphise and the Mistress of Pinabel

Study for Marphise and the Mistress of Pinabel by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, is an important example of the artist’s preparatory work executed during his final decade. Created between 1852 and 1863, this classification drawing utilizes graphite on tan wove paper, a support structure which has been preserved by being tipped onto board. As a central figure of the Romantic movement in France, Delacroix often turned to epic literature for dramatic subject matter, and this work suggests a scene of confrontation or narrative intensity likely derived from Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso.

This late-period study demonstrates Delacroix’s sustained interest in compositional dynamism, using energetic and deliberate graphite lines to quickly establish the positions and gestures of the figures. While lacking the vibrant color synonymous with the finished oil paintings of 1798-1863, the drawing reveals the underlying structural rigor that informed his artistic process. The technique emphasizes rapid articulation of form and movement, capturing the dramatic tensions inherent in the literary source material.

The function of this piece as a drawing highlights its crucial role in the development of Delacroix’s larger studio works. It offers scholars invaluable insight into the working methods of one of the 19th century’s most influential masters. This drawing is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Though the original piece is a unique artifact, high-quality prints and reproductions ensure that Delacroix’s masterful preparatory works, such as Study for Marphise and the Mistress of Pinabel, are widely available, sometimes designated as being in the public domain for educational access.