Horse Frightened by a Storm 1824

Eugène Delacroix painted ‘Horse Frightened by a Storm’ using oil on canvas, employing techniques that were part of the academic tradition of his time. Yet, his approach to material and process sets him apart. Notice how Delacroix builds up the scene with layers of paint, using visible brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and raw energy. The dynamic handling of the oil paint mirrors the chaos of the storm and the horse's frantic state. Rather than smoothly blending the colors, he allows them to mix optically, giving the image a shimmering, almost hallucinatory quality. This reflects his Romantic sensibilities, prioritizing emotion and drama over precise representation. Delacroix's focus on materiality and making processes aligns him with a lineage of artists who valued the inherent qualities of their media. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, revealing the expressive potential of materials in conveying complex emotional states.