Study of a Horse

Study of a Horse is a significant drawing created by Eugène Delacroix between 1819 and 1834. This wide timeframe marks the artist’s transition into full Romanticism, a movement characterized by dynamic movement, intense emotion, and the rejection of Neoclassical rigidity. The medium employed—brush and brown and black wash applied over graphite—highlights Delacroix’s intensive preparatory process, suggesting this study was a rapid means of capturing the form, posture, and energy of the animal subject before incorporation into a larger composition.

Delacroix was deeply committed to the study of animal anatomy. Horses were integral to his historical and Orientalist narratives, appearing in pivotal works such as The Massacre at Chios (1824) and his various battle scenes. In this particular study, the fluid wash medium allows for immediate modeling and the swift creation of shadow, lending the equine figure volume and dramatic tension. The underlying graphite structure provided the necessary framework for the spontaneous, almost abstract, application of the wash, successfully capturing the muscular vitality and powerful stance of the horse.

As one of the most important draftsmen of the Romantic era, Delacroix’s preliminary sketches are crucial for understanding his creative method and technical execution. This drawing is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, serving as a primary example of 19th-century French draughtsmanship. Given the age of the work, the image frequently resides in the public domain, allowing institutions and enthusiasts worldwide access to high-resolution copies. Consequently, high-quality prints derived from this powerful study remain a valued resource for art students and historians.