Studies of a Fallen Male Nude for ‘Hercules and the Horses of Diomedes’ 1852

Eugène Delacroix made this sketch of a fallen male nude as a study for his painting 'Hercules and the Horses of Diomedes'. Delacroix was a leading figure in the French Romantic movement. Looking at the image we can see visual codes linked to the rise of history painting and a renewed interest in classical antiquity. Made in France in the first half of the 19th century, it reflects a fascination with the heroic and the dramatic, often drawing inspiration from literature and mythology. This particular theme from Greek mythology would have resonated with a public educated in the classics, familiar with tales of heroism and struggle. Delacroix was associated with the École des Beaux-Arts, France's leading art academy, and the sketch likely references academic figure drawing. To understand Delacroix's position within the French art world, we would examine exhibition records, critical reviews, and other archival materials. By considering the social and institutional context, we can better understand how art reflects and shapes its time.