Two Studies of an Indian from Calcutta, Seated and Standing

"Two Studies of an Indian from Calcutta, Seated and Standing" by Eugène Delacroix is a powerful exploratory work executed in oil on canvas during the years 1823-1824. The painting features two distinct, full-length portraits of a man identified as being from Calcutta (now Kolkata), likely utilized as life studies for a larger, related composition. One figure is shown seated in profile, arms crossed and resting against a backdrop of muted earth tones, while the other stands facing the viewer, hands clasped at the waist.

This work falls squarely within the French Romantic period (1801 to 1825), a pivotal moment when Delacroix was establishing himself as the primary figurehead of the burgeoning movement. The rapid, expressive application of oil paint, particularly in the rendering of the figure’s dark skin and simple white attire, reveals the artist’s characteristic attention to psychological intensity and dynamic contrast. Even in this preparatory context, Delacroix demonstrates his developing mastery of color, which would become a defining feature of his career.

While Delacroix is most famous for the works that resulted from his 1832 trip to North Africa, this earlier study reflects a growing European fascination with non-Western cultures during the early 19th century. Such ethnographic studies were crucial to the period’s artistic development, allowing artists like Delacroix to move beyond classical subjects and explore unique character types. The dual poses in Two Studies of an Indian from Calcutta, Seated and Standing allowed the artist to analyze musculature and posture simultaneously, deepening his understanding of the model.

This significant piece of French Romanticism currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work serves as an essential documentation of Delacroix’s early technique and his commitment to the depiction of human character. As an important example of art from the first quarter of the 19th century, high-quality prints and archival images are frequently available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to this master study.