Theseus Conqueror of the Centaur Eurytus

Theseus Conqueror of the Centaur Eurytus by Eugène Delacroix, created in 1825, is a powerful example of early Romantic printmaking. Executed as a lithograph in its only known state, the technique allowed Delacroix quick access to high contrast and expressive line work, ideally suited to the dramatic narratives and intense emotion he favored. The subject draws directly from classical mythology, depicting the Athenian hero Theseus in mortal combat against the Centaurs. This classical theme of a hero subjugating monstrous figures was frequently utilized in art to symbolize the triumph of civilization, order, and reason over savage chaos, although Delacroix imbues the scene with distinctly Romantic fury.

The composition focuses the action on the brutal moment of confrontation. Delacroix captures the highly kinetic energy of the struggle, emphasizing the physicality of the hero as he dominates his half-human, half-beast foe, likely Eurytus, a centaur known for his violent disruption of the Lapith wedding feast. The intense dynamism and emotional vigor captured in the work distinguish Delacroix from the more restrained Neoclassical artists of the preceding generation.

As an important early print, this work showcases Delacroix’s mastery outside of his celebrated oil paintings. Today, this lithograph resides within the vast permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prints of early nineteenth-century Romantic works such as this are highly valued by scholars studying the period’s dramatic shift toward emotional and subjective representation. It remains a significant item in the study of classical subjects rendered by Romantic masters and is considered an important contribution to the body of public domain artworks now widely accessible for research and educational purposes.