A Wall Decorated in Spanish Tiles
1832
Medium
Watercolor over graphite
Dimensions
Overall: 4 1/2 x 7 1/8 in. (11.4 x 18.1 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift from the Karen B. Cohen Collection of Eugène Delacroix, in honor of Dr. Harvey Wolinsky, 2013
Accession Number
2013.1135.16
Art Historical Context
Eugène Delacroix, leading figure of French Romanticism, created *A Wall Decorated in Tiles* in 1832 as a delicate watercolor over graphite sketch. This intimate study, measuring just 4½ x 7⅛ inches, captures the vibrant patterns of traditional Spanish azulejos—glazed ceramic tiles known for their intricate geometric and floral designs influenced by Moorish artistry. Rendered during Delacroix's travels, it reflects his fascination with exotic architecture and ornamentation, hallmarks of his lifelong interest in Eastern cultures that profoundly shaped his dynamic, color-rich style. The work exe...
About the Artist
Eugène Delacroix · 1798–1863
Eugène Delacroix (1798–1863) stands as the defining figure of French Romanticism and a pivotal bridge to modernism. Born in Charenton-Saint-Maurice near Paris, he came from distinguished lineage—his mother descended from the prestigious Oeben-Riesener furniture dynasty, while persistent speculation suggested the statesman Talleyrand may have been his biological father, a theory supported by physic...