Tasso in the Madhouse 1839

"Tasso in the Madhouse" is a Romantic painting by Eugène Delacroix completed in 1839. This oil-on-canvas work depicts the Italian poet Torquato Tasso, who was known for his epic poem "Jerusalem Delivered," in a moment of despair and isolation. The artist uses dramatic lighting and expressive brushstrokes to capture Tasso's mental anguish, while a glimpse of figures outside the room suggests his confinement and possible persecution. The painting's melancholic tone and evocative imagery continue to resonate with viewers, making it a powerful testament to human suffering and artistic expression.