Count Demetrius de Palatiano in Suliot Costume 1827

Eugène Delacroix painted this small oil on canvas, "Count Demetrius de Palatiano in Suliot Costume", now at the Met, with great energy. The Count’s figure dominates the frame, a testament to Delacroix's mastery of romantic portraiture. Note the striking contrast between the ornate gold of the Suliot costume and the muted, almost dreamlike landscape. The textures are rich—from the soft folds of the white fustanella skirt to the metallic sheen of the weaponry. Delacroix uses color not merely descriptively but as a powerful emotive force. The vibrant palette evokes the exoticism and intensity of the Greek War of Independence, reflecting the period's fascination with heroism and resistance. What meanings arise from this particular juxtaposition of textures and forms? Consider how Delacroix destabilizes traditional portraiture, inviting us to explore themes of identity, culture, and conflict through a romantic lens.