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| The Abduction of Rebecca |
Throughout his career, Delacroix was inspired by the novels of Sir Walter Scott, a favorite author of the French Romantics. This painting depicts a scene from Ivanhoe: the Jewish heroine Rebecca, who had been confined in the castle of Front de Boeuf (seen in flames), is carried off by two Saracen slaves commanded by the covetous Christian knight Bois-Guilbert. The contorted, interlocking poses and compacted space, which shifts abruptly from the elevated foregound to the fortress behind, create a sense of intense drama. Apart from the still life at lower left, the only element of calm is Rebecca herself.
Provenance
Collot, Paris (by 1846–52; his sale, Hôtel des Ventes Mobilières, Paris, May 28, 1852, no. 11, for Fr 2,900); M. T. . ., Brussels (until 1856; his sale, Hôtel des commissaires-priseurs, Paris, February 9, 1856, no. 12, for Fr 2,200, to Bouruet-Aubertot); [Jean-Hector Bouruet-Aubertot, Paris, 1856–68; sold June 1868 for Fr 20,000 to Durand-Ruel and Brame]; [Durand-Ruel and Hector Brame, Paris, 1868, in equal shares; Durand-Ruel archives, stock 1868–1873, no. 10953; sold in June 1868 for 30,000 francs to Gavet]; Émile Gavet, Paris (from 1868); Edwards, Paris (until 1870; his sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, March 7, 1870, no. 7, for Fr 27,000 to Sabatier); Raymond Sabatier, Paris (1870–83; sale, Hôtel Drouot, Paris, May 30, 1883, no. 12, ill. [Ramus etching], for Fr 51,000, to Petit for Goldschmidt); ?E. Secrétan; Salomon Goldschmidt, Paris (1883–d. 1888; his estate sale, Galerie Georges Petit, Paris, May 17, 1888, no. 34, ill. [Ramus etching], for Fr 29,100, to Knoedler for Lyall); David C. Lyall, Brooklyn (1888–d. 1892; his estate sale, American Art Association, New York, February 10, 1903, no. 96, for $11,100 to Durand-Ruel); [Durand-Ruel, New York, 1903; sold half-share for $11,100 on February 26 to Knoedler]; [Durand-Ruel and Knoedler, New York, 1903; stock no. 10184 sold on March 2 to MMA]
Artist:
Eugène Delacroix (French, Charenton-Saint-Maurice 1798–1863 Paris)
Date:
1846
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
39 1/2 x 32 1/4 in. (100.3 x 81.9 cm)
Classification:
Paintings
Credit Line:
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Collection, Wolfe Fund, 1903
Copyright Image
https://images.metmuseum.org
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