The Wounded Goetz Taken in by the Gypsies

"The Wounded Goetz Taken in by the Gypsies" is a pivotal lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix between 1836 and 1843. This powerful work is classified as a print and exists in the second, finalized state of the two known impressions. Delacroix frequently employed lithography, valuing the medium’s capacity to convey the deep shadow and emotional intensity essential to the French Romantic movement.

The scene depicts a critical moment from the legend of Götz von Berlichingen, the sixteenth-century German knight whose life was famously dramatized by Goethe. The title character, injured following battle, is shown being taken in by a group of Gypsies, figures often romanticized in the 19th century as symbols of freedom and the exotic. Delacroix masterfully uses strong light contrasts to highlight the drama of the rescue. The composition is dominated by several armed men and imposing horses, lending a sense of weight and instability to the moment. Multiple spears pierce the space, forming diagonal lines that underscore the tension inherent in the situation.

This piece showcases Delacroix’s enduring commitment to historical and literary subjects, translating his dramatic flair from oil painting to the graphic arts. Though this print dates from the latter part of his career, it remains one of his most sought-after prints, offering crucial insight into the artist's engagement with dramatic narrative and the depiction of marginalized figures. This historically significant work is currently housed in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.