The Wounded Goetz Taken In by the Gypsies

The Wounded Goetz Taken In by the Gypsies is a powerful lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix between 1836 and 1843. This work exemplifies the artist's lifelong fascination with dramatic, emotionally charged subjects drawn from literature and history. As a key figure in French Romanticism, Delacroix often chose moments of tension and peril to explore human suffering and heroism. The dramatic scene depicts the historical figure of Goetz von Berlichingen, a knight popularized by Goethe’s influential Sturm und Drang tragedy, being rescued by a nomadic group following an injury.

Executed as a lithograph, this fine impression represents the second state of two, showcasing Delacroix’s profound skill in the expressive field of printmaking. The inherent darkness and sharp contrasts of the medium enhance the immediacy and mystery of the nocturnal encounter. A group of men, presumably the gypsies who offer aid, tend to the injured Goetz while the presence of several strong horses adds weight and urgency to the composition. The dynamic arrangement of figures and animals emphasizes the physical struggle and sudden, compassionate intervention in the wilderness.

This important print confirms Delacroix’s stature not just as a painter, but as a master graphic artist whose visual narratives shaped the Romantic era. The work currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a crucial document of 19th-century French prints. Due to its age and historical significance, the artwork often enters the public domain, allowing broader access to Delacroix's powerful narrative vision.