The Sister of Duguesclin

The Sister of Duguesclin is a powerful lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix in 1829. This print exemplifies the French Romantic fascination with medieval history and national heroes, placing it within a significant movement of historical revivalism in the culture of France. The specific technique employed is a lithograph with chine collé, a specialized process where a thin, often fragile sheet of paper (chine) is carefully adhered to a thicker backing sheet during printing. This method allows the artist to achieve delicate tonal effects and rich details that distinguish it from standard lithography.

Delacroix was a leading figure in 19th-century French art, and his graphic works frequently explored dramatic historical or literary narratives, demonstrating his mastery across different media. The subject matter, which references the sibling of the celebrated 14th-century Constable Bertrand du Guesclin, connects this piece directly to the valorous figures celebrated by Romantic thinkers. Although Delacroix is most famous for his large oil paintings, his prolific output of prints provided a crucial means of disseminating his emotional and evocative style to a broader audience during the early Romantic period.

This impression of The Sister of Duguesclin is classified as a significant example of 19th-century print production and is held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. As a major work from this era now considered within the public domain, the lithograph remains an important reference point for scholars studying the development of graphic arts and the historical themes central to the French Romantic tradition.