Ten Studies of Goats by Eugène Delacroix, drawing, 1837

Ten Studies of Goats

Eugène Delacroix

Year
1837
Medium
Pen and brown ink
Dimensions
Sheet: 8 1/16 × 12 1/4 in. (20.5 × 31.1 cm)
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art

About This Artwork

Ten Studies of Goats, created by Eugène Delacroix in 1837, is a dynamic example of the artist’s highly valued drawing practice. Rendered meticulously in pen and brown ink, this composition fills the sheet with approximately ten distinct observations of the titular animal. Delacroix employed quick, expressive lines characteristic of his mature Romantic style, effectively capturing the natural vitality and varied movements of the animals, which are shown standing, resting, and interacting.

The detailed observation of animals was fundamental to Delacroix's artistic methodology, often serving as preparatory work for larger oil paintings depicting complex historical or mythological scenes. However, the inherent beauty and rugged structure of the animals themselves were also compelling subjects for the artist. These rapid, precise notations demonstrate Delacroix’s impressive skill in capturing anatomical structure and fleeting gestures, elements essential to the dramatic dynamism that characterized French Romantic art during this period.

This drawing confirms Delacroix’s status as a master draftsman whose technical precision supported his emotional approach to painting. The work resides within the esteemed permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Due to the high artistic merit and historical significance of the piece, many cultural institutions have placed high-resolution images of this work into the public domain, ensuring that students and enthusiasts worldwide have access to study Delacroix's masterful ink work, often distributed globally as fine art prints.

Cultural & Historical Context

Classification
Drawing

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