Le Christ en croix

Christ on the Cross from 1848 at the Louvre shows Delacroix treating the central Christian image with Romantic emotional power. His Crucifixion paintings bring the full intensity of his color and handling to traditional sacred subjects. As the leading French Romantic painter, Delacroix brought passionate color and dynamic energy to all his subjects; his journal records his constant study of color relationships and his admiration for Rubens, Constable, and Veronese.

The crucified Christ is rendered against a dramatic sky with rich palette. Delacroix's handling transforms devotional tradition with Romantic emotional intensity.