Picture Study is simple. Look at the picture with your children for a few minutes, and then talk about what you saw. Try to remember as much about the piece as you can. Enjoy the beauty of it. Art is not a chore; it’s a pleasure. We’ve chosen some works by Eugène Delacroix for this month.
Biography:
Eugene Delacroix was born near Paris in April of 1798. His dad was linked to the French Revolution. Eugene was burned in an accident as an infant. He also survived being dropped in the sea, being poisoned, and being choked, all by family servants who were careless or malicious. Delacroix managed to grow up, scars and all. He began to study art under Pierre-Narcisse Guérin. He was received into the Paris Salon in 1822.
Delacroix painted in the Romantic style, but his work was not happy. He often revealed despair and sorrow. He used beautiful colors, exotic costumes, and tragic events to awaken his audience’s emotions. He was inspired by Lord Byron and Sir William Scott. as well as by the political climate of his time. His Liberty Leading the People led to more government commissions for mural and ceiling paintings. Delacroix moved to Morocco and Algeria, adding northern African characters and Orientalism to his art. He returned to France and painted in churches and government buildings. Eventually, he retreated to a countryside cottage, sick and tired. He passed away on August 13, 1863.
Art:
Resources
Video
Books
- Eugene Delacroix: Help Me Find My Painting by Cindy Prince
- Eugene Delacroix (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists by Mike Venezia (Check your library)
Photo of Artist: By cgfa.sunsite.dk via web.archive.org, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=446610
