Study of Putti with Dogs, after Peter Paul Rubens

Study of Putti with Dogs, after Peter Paul Rubens by Eugène Delacroix is a significant graphite drawing executed during the expansive period of the artist’s career, spanning 1815 to 1868. This drawing represents Delacroix’s essential practice of studying and absorbing the dynamic energy of Baroque masters, a central component of his transition toward the expressive freedom of Romanticism.

Executed in precise graphite, the work focuses intently on the figures of putti—cherubic children often found in mythological or allegorical settings—interacting with canine subjects. Delacroix utilizes the medium to study the anatomical forms and the interwoven compositions characteristic of the great Flemish painter Rubens. Such careful studies allowed Delacroix to hone his skills in rendering movement and volume, preparing him for the dramatic, large-scale canvases for which he later became famous. The composition captures a moment of restless activity, employing sharp contour lines and subtle shading to define the mass of the figures.

As a crucial element of 19th-century French drawing, the work highlights the ongoing academic tradition of copying Old Masters to gain proficiency. This important piece is classified as a drawing and resides within the distinguished collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to its historical significance and inclusion in museum archives, high-resolution images are often made available through the public domain, allowing students and researchers access to study the preparatory methods of Delacroix. The availability of prints further ensures that this foundational study remains widely accessible as a resource for understanding the artist’s development.