Eugene Delacroix

Eugene knocked this self portrait together in about 1837. A fine piece of work. Oil on canvas. I think it’s in the Louvre but don’t quote me on that.

His full name was Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix. He lived from 1798 to 1863 – 65 years. So this self portrait would be from when he was about 26 years old. It has that look, of a young serious artists.

It’s a strong work, I particularly like the focus on the closest eye created by the key light depicted landing on the high cheek bone, forehead and nose. It concentrates the attention on the gaze from that eye but there is almost a second, more nervous emotion, coming from the other eye that’s more in the dark.

Still it doesn’t pay to over analyse self portraits. The artist often has this serious look that can be misread as meaningful when it’s just concentration on getting the shapes and colours right.