Muleteers of Tétuan c. 19th century

Curator: This pen and ink drawing, "Muleteers of Tétuan," is by Eugène Delacroix. Editor: It looks like a scene lifted straight from a dream, all swirling lines and a hazy sort of exhaustion settling over the figures. Curator: Delacroix, who lived from 1798 to 1863, often depicted scenes from his travels. Here we find figures in repose, possibly resting during a long journey, the details rendered with an almost frenetic energy. Editor: I love how he captures the weariness of the journey. The way the muleteers are slumped suggests a story of resilience and the human need for rest. Curator: Absolutely. The composition, although seemingly casual, uses strong diagonals to create movement. Editor: It makes you wonder what tales they could tell, those muleteers. I bet the road has a funny way of aging a man. Curator: Indeed, and Delacroix captured a snippet of that story, just for us.