Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863) Juive D’Alger – Algerian Jewess – Original Etching

• Paris: Published by A. Cadart et Luquet, 79, rue de Richelieu, 1865. Etching.
• Printed on watermarked aqua-fortistes laid paper.
• State i/iii, before letters with artist’s name and date engraved in the upper left corner of plate.
• Monogram in upper right corner of plate. Full sheet in excellent condition.

Image size: 7 7/8 x 6 1/6inches.

Plate mark: 8 x 6 13/16 inches.

Sheet size: 20 3/8 x 13 1/2 inches.

This stunning image is a rich proof impression of Delacroix’s famous print, “Juive d’Alger.” In early 1832 Delacroix visited North Africa. He accompanied his friend the Count de Mornay on his good-will mission to the Sultan of Morocco, Abd-er-Rahman II. This experience had a drastic influence on his art, introducing an edge of brilliant realism into his majestic paintings and bold engravings. He filled countless sketchbooks with drawings and observations of Arab life and gathered a wealth of ideas that served him for the rest of his life. This sumptuous etching is inspired by Delacroix’s travels in North Africa, and is considered one of his greatest prints. Assigned to the delegation as dragoman was Abraham-Ben-Chimol of Tangiers, a Jew who introduced Delacroix to his wife and daughter. Delacroix was greatly influenced by this encounter and he did a number of images depicting young Jewish women in simple interiors. This breathtaking image depicts a young Jewish woman in traditional dress, seated in a simple room; she is accompanied by an Algerian woman who is seated on the floor beside her. The leader of the French Romantic movement, Delacroix is widely considered to be one of the greatest French painters in history, but he is also one the most hailed printmakers of the modern age. The simple lines and bold textures of this monumental print delineate Delacroix’s genius, and distinguish him as a true master of his art. This is an exceptional early impression of this important print, executed before the published title and publication details were added.