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Romanticism in FranceIngres and Delacroix
The leading figures in 19th century French art were Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres
and Eugene Delacroix
Each represented the rival schools of Neoclassicism and Romanticism, as seen in
this 19th century caricature depicting the two artists jousting in front of the Institut de
France
Ingres: champion
of line
Delacroix:
champion of color
A pupil of Jacques Louis David, Ingres was the leading exponent of Neoclassicism,
and was renowned as the champion of crisp line and contour, as indicated by the
fine tipped pen that he wields as his weapon
Ingres: champion
of line
Delacroix was the leading representative of Romanticism, and was known for his
bravura use of color and painterly effects, indicated by the paint brush that he carries
as his weapon
Delacroix:
champion of color
The rivalry between these two giants of the 19th century Academy replayed the 17th
century academic debate between the Poussinistes (who favored drawing and
design) and the Rubenistes (who favored color)
Delacroix:
champion of colorIngres: champion
of line
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
This painting by Ingres was submitted to the Salon of 1827, and was a kind of
manifesto of Neoclassicism
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
Based on Raphael’s School of Athens, the painting depicts the Greek poet Homer
enthroned before a Greek Classical temple
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
Allegorical figures representing his two great works, The Odyssey and The Iliad are
seated beneath his throne, symmetrically arranged like mirrored images of one
another
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
The blind poet is crowned by a winged Nike, and he is surrounded by famous artists
and writers from history, who acknowledge his great achievement
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
Amongst them are Phidias, Michelangelo, and Poussin
Phidias
Michelangelo
Poussin
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
Symmetrical, ordered, and balanced, the picture is a tribute to the rational values of
the classical tradition
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Self Portrait at Age 24, 1804; revised 1850
Musée Condé
Ingres’ chief rival in the 19th century French Academy was Eugene Delacroix, who
rejected the values of Neoclassicism (an entry in his diary reads: “I dislike
reasonable painting.”)
Eugene Delacroix, Self Portrait, 1837
Musée du Louvre, Paris
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Self Portrait at Age 24, 1804; revised 1850
Musée Condé
While Ingres’ style is slick, polished, and reserved (his teacher Jacques Louis
David told his students: “never let your brushwork show”), Delacroix’s style is
loose, spontaneous, and impetuous, expressing an unrestrained passion that
contrasts with Ingres’ cool Neoclassical style
Eugene Delacroix, Self Portrait, 1837
Musée du Louvre, Paris
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, Self Portrait at Age 24, 1804; revised 1850
Musée Condé
While Ingres painted with precision and calculation, Delacroix painted with passion
and spontaneity
Eugene Delacroix, Self Portrait, 1837
Musée du Louvre, Paris
I paint with
my heart
I paint with
my head
Delacroix’s Death of Sardanapalus, painted in 1826, is a classic example of
Romanticism
The painting is based on a story recounted by an ancient Greek historian about an
Assyrian King whose city was under siege by an enemy army
Rather than suffer the humility of defeat, he orders his soldiers to slaughter his
horses and his concubines, before setting himself on fire
The scene is one of chaotic violence, as naked bodies and horses struggle to
escape their fate
The sadistic king reclines impassively on a massive bed, decorated at the corners
by carved elephant heads
His decadent taste for luxuries is evident in the splendor of his surroundings, and
the heavy jewelry worn by his concubines (in fact, the king himself wears rings on
every toe!)
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
Unlike Ingres’ Apotheosis of Homer (which was exhibited at the same Salon)
Delacroix’s picture does not pay tribute to a noble hero
Instead, it depicts a scene of sadistic violence and passion, betraying a morbid
fascination with human depravity rather than noble virtue
The style is also dramatically different
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, Apotheosis of Homer, 1827
Louvre
While Ingres’ work is balanced and restrained, with clear even lighting, cool colors,
and crisp outlines
Delacroix’s painting is chaotically arranged, with swirling bodies, and a strong
diagonal that rushes headlong into space
And in contrast to Ingres’ precisely rendered figures, Delacroix’s style is loose,
sketchy, and impetuous – as if painted quickly, and with passion
The colors, too, are rich, lush, and fiery, rather than cool and detached, providing a
visual equivalent to the dark passions of the theme
Delacroix’s use of color was influenced by Rubens, and by the Venetian masters of
the Renaissance, but it was also informed by new scientific theories about the
properties of color, as seen in this color wheel from a book that belonged to the
artist
The diagram shows primary and secondary colors, with their complimentary colors
at the other end of the axis
Color theory teaches us that complementary colors intensify one another – a red
against a green, or a blue against an orange, makes the colors pop with an
intensity they would not have against a different background
Delacroix used this understanding of color extensively in his paintings, as in this
detail where we see a green sash draped haphazardly across the king’s bed
The complimentary colors intensify one another, making the colors literally “pop,”
and adding to the overall drama of the picture the picture
Neoclassicism Romanticism
The contrast between these two works sums up the competing values of
Neoclassicism and Romanticism
Neoclassicism Romanticism
Emphasis on reason and virtue Emphasis on feelings, emotion –
“human nature,” which is not always
virtuous or noble
Neoclassicism Romanticism
Style: painted with the “head”Smooth finishBalanced, ordered, harmonious
Style: painted with the “heart”
Loose, sketchy brushstroke
Expressive color, dynamic
composition, dramatic lighting
Neoclassicism Romanticism
Subject MatterHistoricalExemplars of virtue
Subject Matter
Themes from literature & the
imagination
Exotic people & places
Horrific events
I recommend that you watch this video on Delacroix’s use of color, from the
National Gallery of Art, London