Study of the Sky at Sunset 1849

Eugène Delacroix captured this study of the sky at sunset using pastels on paper. The sky dominates this composition, filling most of the frame with streaks of peach, grey and blue. This layering of colors creates a rich and varied texture. Delacroix was deeply interested in the theories of color and perception. Here, we see him exploring the transient effects of light and atmosphere, breaking down the scene into individual strokes. It is a move away from the traditional, academic landscape painting toward a more subjective and sensory experience. The horizon line, low and almost an afterthought, gives the vast expanse of the sky a dramatic emphasis. This placement destabilizes the traditional landscape format. Delacroix is not just representing a scene, he’s inviting us to contemplate the sublime and the ever-changing spectacle of nature.