Théâtre Italien (Gioacchino Rossini, 1792–1868)

Théâtre Italien (Gioacchino Rossini, 1792–1868) by Eugène Delacroix, executed in 1821, exemplifies the artist's early experimentation with dramatic figural compositions. Classified as a drawing, this work utilizes a complex mixed media approach, combining delicate graphite sketching with brush and brown wash to establish atmospheric depth and shadow. The technique includes the innovative step of applying red chalk to the verso, a specialized method Delacroix employed for transferring the composition precisely to another surface, likely for a subsequent painting or print.

This drawing captures the energy and popular entertainment culture prevalent in early 19th-century Paris, reflecting the contemporary fascination with Italian opera and theatrical performance. The subject matter centers on a dynamic arrangement of figures, depicting both Men and Women in the audience or possibly on stage, interspersed with highly dynamic Acrobats whose contorted postures suggest a vibrant moment from a performance or circus spectacle. Delacroix’s rapid, expressive line work provides movement, while the brown wash defines the ambient light and chaotic organization of the scene.

Although the definitive purpose of the transferred image is not explicitly known, this preparatory drawing offers profound insight into Delacroix’s compositional strategies during his formative Romantic period. The work resides within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a significant drawing now in the public domain, high-quality scholarly prints of this complex study remain essential resources for understanding the development of Delacroix's career.