The Giaour on Horseback (recto); Study of a Woman with Head and Arms Thrown Back, and Study of the Head of an Old Man (verso). 1824 - 1826

"The Giaour on Horseback" is a pen and brown ink drawing by Eugène Delacroix. Delacroix was a leading figure in the French Romantic movement, a time of great social and political change following the French Revolution. His art often explored themes of freedom, passion, and the exotic. This drawing is inspired by Lord Byron's poem "The Giaour", a tragic tale set in Ottoman-controlled Greece. Delacroix’s fascination with the Orient reflected the colonial attitudes of his time, but also a desire to find alternative models for his art. The term "Giaour" was a derogatory term used by the Ottoman Turks to describe non-believers. Delacroix depicts the Giaour as a heroic figure on horseback, locked in a fierce battle. The rapid, energetic lines convey a sense of movement and drama. Look closely, and you can see the ghostly head of an old man above the horse. The drawing shows how Delacroix engaged with contemporary literature and political issues, while also exploring his own artistic concerns. It’s a glimpse into a world of conflict, passion, and the clash of cultures.