France has given birth to many renowned artists. At school, we even learn about the importance of certain artists, their artistic movements and their works... Among these is Eugène Delacroix, a French painter of the 19th century. A major figure of Romanticism, his talent and choice of subject quickly made him a household name, influencing the artists who followed him.
Delacroix distinguished himself in history painting, with literary and religious themes. He also drew much of his inspiration from North Africa and oriental themes. He is credited with over 200 paintings, as well as numerous drawings and engravings.
Do you love this important 19th-century artist, or would you like to learn more about his work? Good news: the museums and monuments of Paris and the Île-de-France region preserve and exhibit many of the painter's works. Here's where to find Eugène Delacroix paintings in Paris.
The first stop on our tour is the most obvious: the Musée National Eugène Delacroix, located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. This artist's house is housed in the painter's former apartments and studio, where you can admire various works and objects that once belonged to Delacroix.
Next stop: the Louvre, home to nothing less than the artist's most famous painting: La Liberté guidant le peuple (Liberty guiding the people). This not-to-be-missed Parisian museum also houses various drawings and studies, and exhibits several of the painter's major works, including Death of Sardanapalus, Dante and Virgil, also known as Dante's Boat, Saint George Fighting the Dragon, Odalisque...
We then turn to the Petit Palais, Paris' fine arts museum, and the Musée d'Orsay, both of which boast a handful of paintings by Delacroix. Combat du Giaour et du Pacha, Chasse au tigre, Chevaux arabes se battant dans une écurie: these museums display mainly orientalist works by Eugène Delacroix.
Our artistic tour now continues in the monuments. In 1834, the painter received a special commission to illustrate the battle of Taillebourg between Louis IX and Henri III. This painting hangs on the walls of the Galerie des Batailles at the Château de Versailles.
Back to Paris, where two churches house paintings by Delacroix. As explained above, the painter drew much of his inspiration for his art from religion and stories from the Bible. In the 4th arrondissement, in thechurch of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis, you can admire Le Christ en agonie au jardin des oliviers. AtSaint-Sulpice church, in the 6th arrondissement, large frescoes decorate the Chapel of the Holy Angels.
To round off this artistic tour of Paris and the Île-de-France region, take a short trip to Père-Lachaise cemetery, home to Eugène Delacroix's tomb.
Take a stroll through the capital's museums and monuments, in the footsteps of Delacroix!
