Arch of Morning Glories, Study for ‘A Basket of Flowers’ 1848 - 1849

This study of morning glories was made by Eugène Delacroix, using chalk and graphite on paper. Chalk and graphite are humble materials, easily accessible and relatively inexpensive; ideal for preparatory sketches. Delacroix's focus on the archway of intertwined vines leads us to consider the inherent qualities of the medium. Notice the textures he has created, from dense tangles of foliage to delicate trailing tendrils. The varied marks suggest the manual labor of repeated application, blending, and erasure. Although a study, there is nothing tentative about this work. Chalk and graphite are direct materials that allow for immediacy of expression. Through his chosen media, Delacroix captures the vitality of the natural world, elevating the status of the sketch. This challenges the traditional hierarchy between finished painting and preparatory study.