Two Studies of Swords

Two Studies of Swords is a focused academic drawing by Eugène Delacroix, the leading figure of French Romanticism, executed in pen and brown ink during the expansive period between 1815 and 1868. This piece exemplifies the artist’s commitment to meticulous preparation, showing two distinct, detailed studies of bladed weapons, likely military or ceremonial swords, rendered with the precise, deliberate line work characteristic of preliminary sketches. The brown ink provides a warm, measured tone suitable for an object study, contrasting with the vibrant color and dynamic motion that define Delacroix’s finished canvases.

As a master storyteller, Delacroix frequently engaged with dramatic historical, literary, and exotic subjects that required rigorous study of costumes, anatomy, and—critically—material culture. These careful depictions of weaponry were essential for ensuring accuracy and veracity within large-scale compositions, such as battle scenes or romanticized narratives of the Orient. The varied lines used in this drawing capture the subtle reflections and textures of the metal hilts and blades, demonstrating the artist’s acute observational skills even in functional preparatory work.

This important drawing resides in the vast holdings of European drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. While sketches often served a private, internal purpose, allowing Delacroix to master specific details before translating them to paint, works like Two Studies of Swords provide essential insight into the rigorous methodology behind his revolutionary artistic output. Today, because this piece is in the public domain, art historians and students can access high-resolution digital versions, and high-quality fine art prints are widely available, ensuring this preparatory work remains accessible to a global audience.