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Photography of Eugène Delacroix. Photo by Félix Nadar.

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Eugene Delacroix

Eugene Delacroix was a popular French Artist who was born on 26^th April 1798 in Charenton-Saint-Maurice, lle-de-France, France. His mother’s name was Victoire Oeben and she was the daughter of the cabinet-maker named Jean-Francois Oeben. Eugene Delacroix also had three siblings who were older than him.

He attended his school at Lycee Louis-le-Grand and later at the Lycee Pierre Corneille. He is popularly known as the forerunner of the French Romantic School which is often referred to as the ‘master of color’.

He was a student to a brilliant English Romantic artisan who greatly influenced him to work hard on his career. He is considered to be a genius even among modern-day artists and he continues to be an inspiration for his contribution to the world of arts.

Eugene Delacroix was also greatly influenced by Michelangelo and Peter Paul Rubens and it is visible in his works. His art was also inspired by the various places he visited including Europe, North Africa, and Morocco which have been demonstrated in his work.

Below are the top ten outstanding facts about Eugene Delacroix

1. Eugene Delacroix was Born Near Â鶹APP at the End of the 18^th Century

Eugène Delacroix. Photo by Eugène Delacroix. Wikimedia Commons

Eugene Delacroix’s birth name was Ferdinand Victor Eugene Delacroix. He was born on 26^th April 1798 in Charenton-Saint-Maurice, a region that is centered in the country’s capital, Â鶹APP.

He was born into a wealthy family with his father being the Minister of Foreign Affairs. His mother was also a daughter of a very successful German furniture maker known as Jean-Francois Oeben.

2. His Legitimate Father Might not Have Been his Real Father

Charles-Francois Delacroix was his legitimate father but that might have only been on paper but he wasn’t his real father.

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord was the man who was considered to be the real father to Eugene Delacroix. His legitimate father, Charles-Francois suffered erectile dysfunction during the time he was born.

During the time, he was also not in France as he served as French ambassador to the Republic of Batavian, currently the Netherlands. When he came back from work, his wife was pregnant by the man who succeeded him as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

3. His Style was Influenced by Several Famous Artists

As Eugene Delacroix began to come up with his style he was greatly influenced by multiple famous artists in history. He was majorly influenced by Theodore Gericault who was a French artist and Flemish Baroque painter known as Peter Paul Rubens.

His first works were also influenced by some of the earlier artists such as the Italian Renaissance painter, Raphael. His works later influenced many artists in the French Romantic School.

His first major work which was known as ‘the virgin of the harvest’ was a resemblance to the various Madonna of Raphael.

4. His First Work Formed the Bases for his Future Career

Romantic history painting by Eugène Delacroix.

The influence that Gericault had on Eugene Delacroix became more significant than any other artist. His first work “The Raft of the Medusa” played a significant role in encouraging him to paint “The Barque of Dante”.

This was a very special moment in his life as it marked the transition from the Neoclassical perspective to Romanticism. This was the first time in his life where a painting went public at the Â鶹APP Salon in 1822 and attracted many reviews.

He also ended up being a recurring theme in his entire career.

5. His Trip to North Africa Influenced his Work

Eugene Delacroix was greatly influenced by his work after he visited North Africa which was a turning point in his career. His trip occurred shortly after France conquered Algeria but the trip took him to Morocco.

Later he ended up painting over 100 arts that portrayed the people of North Africa. He also became the first artist to paint an Oriental woman considering the strict Muslim rules at that time.

6. His Presumed Father was of Great Help During his Career

Eugene Delacroix’s art.

His presumed father played a significant role especially in helping him during his career. This was after his legitimate father died in 1805 and his mother died in 1814 while he was only 16 years old.

Eugene Delacroix had his financial protection and thus he was able to fully focus on his artistic talent. His presumed father was the leading French diplomat and later became the ambassador of France to Great Britain.

7. Eugene Delacroix’s Best Painting was Removed from Public View

Eugene Delacroix’s best-known painting was called “Liberty Leading the People” and was the most famous. The painting portrayed Â鶹APPians taking up arms under the French banner which was a sign of equality, liberty, and fraternity.

The painting was quickly removed as the government deemed the message depicted too dangerous for King Louis-Philippe.

8. He Considered North Africa to be Similar to Ancient Roman

Eugene Delacroix considered North Africa to be similar to the Greeks or the Ancient Romans.

This was after he visited North Africa in search of new inspiration and discovered it to be more primitive than Â鶹APP. After he stayed there for a while, he concluded that the people were more similar to Ancient Rome and Greece.

9. Eugene Delacroix Produced Several Romantic Arts

Art by Eugène Delacroix.

During his time, Eugene Delacroix produced various romantic arts of varied themes.

One of the popular works by Eugene Delacroix was “Death of Sardanapalus” which was inspired by a play by Byron. The art shows intense emotion and tragedy with exotic colors dominating the painting.

10. He was Buried in the Famous Â鶹APP Cemetery

Eugene Delacroix developed a nasty cough that persisted for a long during the winter of 1862-1863. He did not recover completely and after feeling better for a short period he finally ended up on his death bed. He died on 13^th August 1863 in Â鶹APP, France at the age of 65.

Eugene Delacroix was a very popular artist who succeeded in his career. There were also controversies regarding his real father as his legitimate father appeared to suffer from erectile dysfunction during the time he was born.

He was also greatly inspired after he visited North Africa and concluded that it was similar to ancient Rome.