Massacre of Chios (Study) 1820

Eugène Delacroix's "Massacre of Chios (Study)" is a small-scale oil sketch of a larger painting he created in 1824. The study depicts the Ottoman massacre of the Greek population on the island of Chios in 1822 during the Greek War of Independence. It is a powerful example of Delacroix's Romantic style, capturing the brutality and sorrow of the event through expressive brushstrokes and intense color. The composition, centered on a group of huddled figures, evokes a sense of tragedy and desperation. The study, now housed at the Louvre Museum in Paris, provides a glimpse into Delacroix's creative process and his commitment to depicting historical events.