The Wounded Goetz von Berlichingen Takes Refuge in a Gypsy Camp

The Wounded Goetz von Berlichingen Takes Refuge in a Gypsy Camp is a dramatic drawing created by Eugène Delacroix between 1831 and 1841. This work, classified as a study, was executed using brush and distinctive blue and brown wash over graphite, showcasing the expressive technique typical of the Romantic movement. The application of rapid, fluid washes establishes a nocturnal mood and highlights the immediate vulnerability of the protagonist.

Delacroix drew inspiration from literary sources, particularly Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s 1773 play Götz von Berlichingen, which romanticized the rebellious sixteenth-century knight. The composition focuses intently on the scene of clandestine refuge. The central group of figures consists of the injured Goetz, surrounded by the compassionate men of the gypsy camp who offer shelter from his pursuers. The work is characterized by the dynamic rendering of the horses, whose presence heightens the narrative tension, suggesting the desperate flight that brought the hero to this remote location.

This drawing provides valuable insight into Delacroix’s compositional explorations during a key period of his career. The artist often returned to themes of heroism, suffering, and marginalization, reflecting the core interests of Romantic art. Although the status of the work as a preparatory drawing meant it was not widely reproduced in the nineteenth century, today, high-quality images and prints are often made available through public domain initiatives. This significant piece of narrative draftsmanship remains within the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.