The Sister of Duguesclin

The Sister of Duguesclin is a dramatic print created by Eugène Delacroix in 1829, during the height of the Romantic movement. This significant work is executed as a lithograph on chine collé, representing the critical first state of four, notably before the artist applied the lithographic wash that defines later versions. This early classification as a print allows for a clearer view of Delacroix's initial, masterful use of line and his precise compositional planning.

The subject matter draws upon the heroic narratives of French medieval history, focusing on a tense, narrative confrontation. Bertrand du Guesclin was a famous 14th-century military leader, and this composition centers on a resolute woman, presumably his sister, standing defiantly before a group of soldiers. The dynamic scene is charged with confrontation, featuring the stark contrast between the woman's determined stance and the clustered men brandishing swords. The emotional intensity captures the core aesthetic interests of the era, where historical and dramatic scenes provided fertile ground for Romantic expression.

As a master of the period, Delacroix often utilized the lithograph to explore historical subjects and generate powerful visual imagery for a wider audience. This print remains a key example of his prolific graphic output and provides insight into his artistic process through the stages of creation. The work is held in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its date of creation and cultural importance, this nineteenth-century print is frequently considered part of the public domain, further contributing to its study and accessibility in art reference libraries globally.