An authentic visit in Paris
The musée de Eugène-Delacroix
Discover this secret jewel in the heart of Paris. The musée de Eugène-Delacroix is located in the artist’s apartment and workshop.
In 1857, Delacroix moved his workshop to be closer to the Saint-Sulpice church and finish his work at the chapel.
The museum brings a collection of works of art and souvenirs of Delacroix.
First exhibition dedicated to the paintings of the Chapelle des Saints-Anges in Saint-Sulpice.
Come and enjoy the most important works of Eugène-Delacroix:
Jacob wrestling with the angel, The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple, and St. Michael Vanquishing Satan.
On the occasion of the 220th anniversary of the birth of Eugène-Delacroix, the exhibition takes place at the same time as the first retrospective exhibition dedicated to Delacroix since 1963, shown at the Louvre in the Napoleon Hall.
A place of remembrance
The museum is an intimate place where the visitor will have an encounter with the creative spirit of the artist.
Delacroix lived in this apartment until his death on August 13th, 1863. The charm of the permanent collections allow the visitors to discover different piece of artwork throughout the year. A large temporary exhibition is organized once a year, around themes related to the painter’s creation.
A secret jewel, Delacroix’s Garden
A real treasure, a fascinating place to visit. The renovation of the garden offers to the visitors a haven of peace and relaxation in the heart of Paris.
The garden also allows to discover the floral taste of Delacroix. This is a faithful reconstruction of the garden designed by Delacroix.
“My home is definitely charming… The sight of my little garden and the beautiful aspect of my apartment always give me a feeling of pleasure” – Eugène-Delacroix.
Grappling with the Modern
At the time of Eugène-Delacroix, the theme of the holy angles was very common. The Catholic tradition had granted these divine beings the role of protectors. On the other hand, Delacroix chooses to represent a darker aspect of the angels. At the Chapel, he dedicates three paintings to the holy protectors: first Jacob wrestling with the angel, second on the ceiling St. Michael Vanquishing Satan and third The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple. Delacroix chose a very different kind of angles. He depicted fighter angels, armed angels and avenging angels.
The evocation of the angelical battle was deliberate. Delacroix’s interpretation of the biblical episodes of Jacob and Heliodorus was very personal.
These are the masterful expressions of Delacroix’s talent. The clash with angels exalts the inner truth of an artistic combat, a modern combat.
A total artwork in the Chapelle des Saint-Anges, which manifests Delacroix’s incessant struggle with his creation.
In the intimacy of the artist
“Painting harasses and torments me in a thousand ways, and pulls me to the truth, as the most demanding mistress. But where does it come from? This eternal struggle, instead of slaughtering me, it relieves me, instead of discouraging me, it consoles me. But when did I left it?” Eugène-Delacroix, Journal, January 1st 1861.
Throught The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple, Delacroix makes a direct reference to his spectacular painting from 1827,
The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple and The Death of Sardanapalus, two artworks evoking, one and the other. It is not only the expression of a violent episode, but also the inevitable death of a hero – a fallen king for Sardanaple, and a corrupt minister for Heliodorus.
Jacob’s incredible desire to win is insatiable. In his writings, Delacroix emphasized Jacob fights with stubborn resistance and relentless.
A metaphor of the artistic creation, a tireless struggle, which Delacroix clearly depicted on his artworks. The struggle of being both master and servant, winner and loser.
The struggle of Jacob with the Angel has become a new art motif, the motif of the man struggling for his destiny and his creation.
This modern struggle remained as a personal struggle.
