Collision of Moorish Horsemen 1843 - 1844

Eugène Delacroix made this painting, Collision of Moorish Horsemen, with oil on canvas. It depicts a scene of conflict between opposing groups of North African horsemen. The painting evokes the drama and exoticism of conflict in a generalized, orientalist vision of North Africa. Delacroix visited Morocco in 1832, and the experience had a profound impact on his art. The visual codes, such as the flowing robes, turbans, and weaponry, conjure a romantic image of the region. This image, however, was inevitably shaped by the politics of colonialism. France was expanding its empire into North Africa, and images such as this both fed and reflected a French fascination with, and sense of power over, the region. Understanding the painting therefore requires some historical contextualisation. We can research the history of French colonialism and orientalism. We can also study the artist's journals, letters and studio practices. These resources help us interpret the painting not just as an image, but as a historical and cultural artifact.