Young Spanish Lady in Costume of Manola

Young Spanish Lady in Costume of Manola by Eugène Delacroix French, 1798-1863, is an exquisite watercolor study that captures the Romantic movement’s fascination with exotic subjects and vibrant cultural expression. Executed primarily in gouache and watercolor layered over graphite underdrawing, the piece demonstrates Delacroix’s skill in using liquid media to achieve immediacy and luminosity. Close technical observation reveals traces of scraping, indicating the artist manipulated the media to achieve specific textures or highlights. The original cream wove paper has oxidized to a warm tan, adding historical patina to the delicate application of paint. The entire composition is perimeter mounted on a heavier pale brown wove paper for stability.

The subject matter relates directly to Delacroix’s influential trip to North Africa and Spain in 1832. This expedition profoundly shaped his Romantic aesthetic, providing him with a wealth of material and an enduring interest in figures depicted in regional costume. The manola was a fashionable working-class woman of Madrid whose spirited appearance and distinctive dress became emblematic of Spanish character for 19th-century French viewers. Delacroix’s expressive handling of the figure and the bold costume reflects his characteristic dynamism, showcasing his ability to capture essential movement and character in a small-scale work.

This piece, created between 1832 and 1863, exemplifies Delacroix's lifelong practice of using such studies to explore complex color palettes and figural poses. The work remains a significant example of French Romanticism and is a featured item in the Art Institute of Chicago collection. As a valuable resource for scholars and the public, high-quality prints and archival documentation related to Delacroix's watercolors, including those entering the public domain, are frequently made available by the museum.