Mephistopheles at the Students' Inn, from Faust 1828

Eugène Delacroix created this lithograph, “Mephistopheles at the Students’ Inn, from Faust,” as part of a series inspired by Goethe’s tragic play. Delacroix, working in 19th century France, was at the forefront of the Romantic movement. Here, the artist illustrates a scene of Mephistopheles entertaining a group of students with dark magic. The scene captures a moment of dark revelry, reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the time. There is an emotional tension between the students’ fascination and the disturbing nature of Mephistopheles’s display. Delacroix used lithography to develop alternative narratives, which pushed against the prevailing academic standards of art. This print embodies themes of temptation, moral corruption, and the duality of human nature that remain relevant. It reflects the emotional and personal dimensions of individuals confronting their own desires.