Tucked away in the 6th arrondissement at 6 Rue de Furstenberg, Paris, is the charming museum of the romantic artist Eugene Delacroix. Originally Delacroix's apartments, the site converted to a museum, now home to some of the works of the well respected artist. My love for Delacroix stems not only from his mastery of colour in particular his use of rich red's but also that his work inspired my favourite artist Edouard Manet.
As Manet's career evolved we recognise a sampling of Delacroix's use of vibrant colour. Manet learned to paint by visiting the Louvre and studying the works of different artists, including the Old Masters and later artists. The sampling from these different artists meant sampling from, amongst other things, colour, texture and composition.
Eugene Delacroix, Barque of Dante, 1822
Edouard Manet, The Barque of Dante, (copy after Delacroix), 1854
We can see the obvious sampling of a similar palette from Delacroix in Manet's version, but we can also pickup on Manet's study of composition of the subject with the 2 characters standing forming a triangle the focal point to the painting, the bodies falling forward toward the viewer, framing Dante and Virgil. The red on the body of the figure to the bottom right suggestive of blood but also used for the red head-covering on Dante. The striking colour a symbol of danger and extends the danger in the scene to the right corner of Dante. These techniques of colour, texture and composition a trait in the work of artists of the romantic period, in which these techniques allow the communication of emotion, mood and atmosphere through an artwork.
Edouard Manet, The Street Singer, 1862
We can see the influence of Delacroix in Manet's earlier works. The bold lines, the strong colour, the appearance of the red cherries again significant in communicating sensuality and a boldness to the central subject, as in Delacroix the presence of colour adds a mood to the artwork. We could even look at the composition and identify a similar triangle shape on the picture plane.
Therefore considering my interest in all things Manet, you can see why a visit to Musee Delacroix was on my list.
Originally opened in 1932 by a group of supporters and artists who did not want to see Delacroix's apartment demolished 70 years after Delacroix's death. In 1971 the Museum Delacroix became a National Museum and in 2004 the museum fell under the domain of the Louvre.
Although the apartments house some amazing artworks the gardens alone are worth the visit!
Considering the influence Delacroix had on Manet and in turn the influence Manet's work had on the Impressionists and contemporary art, we can see how Delacroix was one of the most significant artists of the 19th Century.
We can see the respect given by a younger generation to Delacroix in Fantin's work Homage to Delacroix in which artists including Manet, Whistler and writer Charles Baudelaire, all surround the portrait of Delacroix. This is further evidence of Delacroix's importance and influence in modern art.
One of Delacroix's most recognisable works Liberty Leading the People, a testament to the spirit of the French people during the revolution of 1830 where Charles V was overthrown. Marianne a symbol of the France and the French republic holding the flag and leading the charge followed by a mashing of classes. People from all branches of society joining forces in the common cause of the people overthrowing the Monarchy. The bourgeois in the top hat amongst the street urchins and the factory workers. The artwork iconic in its symbolism of France and the French spirit of revolution, freedom and equality.
Therefore, in loving the work of Manet, one cannot overlook Eugene Delacroix. His influence on Manet crucial to establishing Edouard Manet as the father of contemporary art.
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