Heliodorus Expelled from the Temple 1850

Curator: Here we have Eugène Delacroix's sketch, "Heliodorus Expelled from the Temple," housed right here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a whirlwind of pencil strokes on paper, measuring about 58 by 40 centimeters. Editor: My first impression? Pure chaos, but beautifully rendered! I see figures in the midst of some dramatic upheaval, like a tempestuous dream frozen in graphite. Curator: That's it exactly! Delacroix captures the biblical scene where Heliodorus, sent to steal treasures, is struck down by divine intervention. Look at the rearing horses, the fallen bodies—it's a visual representation of the triumph of the sacred over the profane. Editor: And the dynamism! It's fascinating how he uses line work to create this sense of movement and energy. The rearing horses, the sweeping robes, it’s a dance of destruction and divine power. Curator: I always find it interesting how Delacroix, even in a sketch, manages to convey such intensity. He’s not just drawing a scene; he’s channeling an emotional and spiritual experience. Editor: I agree. There is something raw here, a glimpse into the artist’s creative process before it is refined into the final painting. Curator: Well, it is a good reminder that even the most fleeting sketches can contain volumes. Editor: Indeed. A testament to the power of the sketch, I’d say.