Delacroix, The Death of Sardanapalus

Summary

In this analysis of Delacroix's 'The Death of Sardanapalus,' the speakers explore how the painting defies classical traditions. Depicting the corrupt and destructive final moments of the Assyrian king, Sardanapalus, who chooses to destroy all he treasures, the scene is filled with vivid luxury and violent chaos. The artwork is a stark contrast to neoclassical clarity, embracing emotional turmoil and brilliant color. The speakers emphasize the intense movement, serpentine forms, and shocking imagery that engage the viewer and showcase Delacroix's bold departure from the rigid order of prior artistic movements.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Delacroix's *The Death of Sardanapalus* defies classical artistic rules, especially the idea of a heroic figure.
• 🛏️ The painting portrays Sardanapalus, who is indifferent to his defeat and destruction, deciding to kill himself and destroy all his pleasures, including women, slaves, and possessions.
• 🔥 The scene is filled with chaos and destruction, symbolizing corruption and excess, the opposite of the noble neoclassical tradition.
• 📜 The story behind the painting is based on a poem by Lord Byron about the Assyrian king Sardanapalus.
• 🎭 Unlike the clear, organized spaces of neoclassical art, the space in Delacroix's painting is filled with luxurious objects, horses, and bodies, contributing to the sense of chaos.
• 🐍 The composition emphasizes serpentine, writhing forms, from the bodies and objects to the king’s possessions, evoking an image of flames.
• 👑 Sardanapalus is depicted with a corrupt, indifferent gaze, watching the destruction of everything he valued, while sitting still atop a foreshortened bed.
• 🩸 The painting graphically portrays violent scenes, including the brutal murder of a woman and a horse being dragged to its death.
• 🎨 Delacroix’s use of brilliant, contrasting colors, with greens and blues in shadows and oranges and golds in highlights, marks a departure from the subtler tones of neoclassical art.
• 💥 The painting shocked the public used to the clarity, geometry, and rationalism of neoclassical works, confronting them with a spectacle of violence, luxury, and corruption.

Q & A

What is the subject of Delacroix's painting 'The Death of Sardanapalus'?

The painting depicts the Assyrian King Sardanapalus, who, upon facing defeat in battle, decides to destroy everything he finds pleasure in, including his women, slaves, and possessions, before committing suicide.

How does Delacroix's painting challenge classical rules?

Delacroix's painting breaks classical conventions by rejecting the idea of a heroic figure and embracing themes of corruption and destruction. It also defies the clear, ordered composition typical of neoclassicism, opting for chaotic and dynamic movement.

What movement does 'The Death of Sardanapalus' belong to?

The painting is a hallmark of Romanticism, a movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and often depicted dramatic, intense scenes.

What story inspired the painting 'The Death of Sardanapalus'?

The painting is based on a story from a poem by the Romantic poet Lord Byron, which recounts the fall of the Assyrian King Sardanapalus.

How is the theme of destruction portrayed in the painting?

The theme of destruction is portrayed through the chaotic scene where Sardanapalus' treasures, women, slaves, and animals are being violently destroyed. The figures writhe in agony, and the entire scene is filled with serpentine, flame-like forms.

How does Delacroix's use of space differ from neoclassical compositions?

Instead of the clear, structured spatial composition typical of neoclassical art, Delacroix's space in this painting is filled with luxurious objects and writhing bodies, creating a sense of clutter and movement.

What emotions are conveyed by Sardanapalus in the painting?

Sardanapalus displays supreme indifference and detachment as he watches the destruction of everything around him from his elevated position on the bed, symbolizing his corrupt and uncaring nature.

How does Delacroix use color to enhance the emotional impact of the painting?

Delacroix uses brilliant, contrasting colors, with shadows in greens and blues and highlights in oranges and golds. This vivid use of color conveys a more emotional and passionate tone, contrasting with the subtle tonal modeling of neoclassical art.

What elements in the painting create a sense of movement?

The serpentine, curvilinear forms of the bodies, the twisting horse, and the flowing fabrics all create a sense of writhing movement, emphasizing the chaos and violence in the scene.

How might the public of the time have reacted to 'The Death of Sardanapalus'?

The public, accustomed to the clarity, precision, and rationalism of neoclassical art, would likely have been shocked by the painting's violent imagery, chaotic composition, and brilliant use of color, which represented a stark departure from artistic traditions.