Two Studies of a Standing Indian from Calcutta
1823 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil study depicts a figure from Calcutta shown from two different angles, characterized by expressive brushwork and a focus on costume. It demonstrates the artist's interest in non-Western subjects, a theme prevalent in his broader body of work.
Did you know?
While Delacroix is famous for his Orientalist scenes set in North Africa, his interest in diverse cultural subjects started early in his career. This study highlights his fascination with foreign attire and his method of capturing figures from multiple perspectives to better understand their form and drape. Such sketches served as crucial preparatory work for his more elaborate, large-scale compositions.
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Two Studies of a Standing Indian from Calcutta
Eugène Delacroix, 1823
