Studies of a Goat 1798 - 1863

Eugène Delacroix created these pencil Studies of a Goat at an unknown date. Delacroix was working during a time when the French Academy still exerted enormous influence on artistic taste. But he broke with its emphasis on classical form by focusing on movement and color. Here, he sketches several poses of the animal, seemingly working towards a more finished composition. It's interesting to consider what a painting featuring this animal might have been like. In French society at the time, goats were associated with rural life and with the working classes who lived outside of Paris. Delacroix's work often explored the lives of ordinary people, challenging the Academy's focus on historical and mythological subjects. To understand Delacroix better, we can look at letters between artists, critical reviews, and even the records of official institutions like the Academy. These sources help us see how artists like Delacroix were helping to transform the role of art in French society.