Milton dictant à ses filles son poème épique, « Le paradis perdu »
1827/1828
on displayEugène Delacroix1798 Charenton-Saint-Maurice – 1863 Paris
We have 17 artworks by Eugène Delacroix online.
We have 1654 paintings online.
We have 1654 paintings online.
The painting ties in romantically with the Dutch bourgeois-realistic painting of the 17th century, especially with interiors of Terborch. The painting in the background quotes Raphael's 'Banishment from Paradise' in the loggias of the Vatican.
Delacroix exhibited this painting in the Salon in 1828, which was the subject of his artistic inspiration, along with major works such as 'Death of Sardanapal' (Paris, Louvre) and 'Dying Greece on the Ruins of Missolunghi' (Bordeaux); to ensure that it was completed in time, Ary Scheffer, his fellow student at Géricault, helped him with the central figure.
As early as 1822, Delacroix had noted in his journal the intention to treat a theme from the life of John Milton (1608-1674). When he wrote his famous biblical epic, he was blind; his visions inspired Heinrich Fuseli to create his 'Milton Gallery' (see inv. 1838, inv. 2563, inv. 1946/13 and inv. 1976/25).
Also known as
Milton diktiert seinen Töchtern das Epos «Paradise Lost»
Milton Dictating ʻParadise Lostʼ to His Daughters
Milton et ses filles / Milton dictant le Paradis Perdu à ses filles [original]
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
image: 80.5 x 64.5 cm
Inventory number
1988/0028
Credit line
Kunsthaus Zürich, Donated by the Canton of Zurich, 1988