Two Studies of a Standing Indian from Calcutta
Eugène Delacroix·c. 1823/1824
Historical Context
Two Studies of a Standing Indian from Calcutta (c. 1823-24) reveals Delacroix's fascination with exotic subjects and non-European peoples. The painting was made from a live model in Paris, where visiting Indians attracted the attention of artists seeking novel subjects. These studies predate Delacroix's transformative trip to North Africa in 1832, showing that his Orientalist interests developed early from Parisian encounters with the non-Western world.
Technical Analysis
Delacroix renders the two views of the same figure with characteristic warmth and fluid brushwork. The dark skin tones are painted with rich, varied colors — not monochrome — revealing Delacroix's sensitive observation of color in flesh. The loose, confident handling captures the figure's posture and presence with immediate vitality.
Provenance
The artist; (his estate sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 17-19 February 1864, no. 185); Édouard Frère [1819-1886]; (his estate sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 29-30 November 1889, no. 215); Paul Arthur Chéramy [1840-1912], Paris; (his sale, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, 5-7 May 1908, no. 182, bought in); (Cheramy estate sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, 15-16 April 1913, 2nd day, no. 36); (Cassirer). Bloomingdale [or Blomingdale?], New York, in 1953. (sale, Galerie Charpentier, Paris, 14 June 1957, no. 55). (Galerie Moos, Toronto). (Eugene Thaw, New York); sold 1969 to Paul Mellon [1907-1999], Upperville, Virginia; bequest 1999 to NGA, with life interest to Mrs. Mellon; life interest released 2006. [1] Provenance from Lee Johnson, _The Paintings of Eugène Delacroix: A Critical Catalogue, 1816-1831_, 6 vols., Oxford, 1981: 1:no. 24.
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