Musée national Eugène Delacroix, 6 Rue de Furstenberg,
Paris
28 November 2008 - 2 March 2009
Musée National Eugène-Delacroix presents Delacroix and Photography. Photographs of nude models who posed for Delacroix, and whose pictures were taken at the painter’s request by Eugène Durieu in 1854, form the core of the exhibition.
These unique prints are shown with the drawings that Delacroix executed either at the same time or based on the photographs.
The exhibition was curated by Christophe Leribault. Far from seeing photography as a potential rival to painting, Delacroix took a keen interest in the development of this new medium, following its technical progress with sufficient curiosity to become a founding member of the Heliographic Society in 1851.
He amassed a considerable photographic collection-of frescoes by Raphael, paintings by Rubens, and cathedral sculptures. Moreover, although he did not use a camera himself, a series of male and female nude models were photographed at his request by Eugène Durieu, in 1854.
One would know from his diary and letters that he sometimes used these photographs to practice drawing when no live models were available.
Almost all the photographs and the drawings done from them (together with a number of paintings) have been assembled for the first time at the Musée Delacroix, with the generous support of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and other collections.
The exhibition also features a surprising series of photographic portraits of Delacroix himself, ranging from the precious intimate daguerreotypes of the 1840s to the more posed.
Also, strikingly dignified pictures taken by Carjat or Nadar toward the end of his life-many of which images the great man himself would rather have had destroyed.
Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.
This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.
