Who painted Marphise?

Marphise was painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1852.

Where can I see Marphise?

Marphise is held by Walters Art Museum.

What movement is Marphise?

Marphise is associated with French Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Marphise?

Museum-quality prints of Marphise are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Marphise

Eugène Delacroix , 1852

Marphise is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Eugène Delacroix. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1852, this oil on canvas by French Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix portrays a dramatic episode drawn from Ludovico Ariosto’s epic poem Orlando Furioso. The work, titled Marphise, illustrates a moment of conflict involving the warrior heroine Marphise, the knight Pinabello, and the women Gabrina and Pinabello’s lady.

Subject & Meaning

In the scene, Marphise has unseated Pinabello after his companion’s lady has insulted Gabrina. As retribution, Marphise compels the lady to disrobe and surrender her elegant garments to Gabrina, highlighting themes of honor, vengeance, and the reversal of gendered power dynamics within the narrative.

Technique & Style

Delacroix employs his characteristic Romantic vigor, using a dark, indistinct backdrop to focus attention on the central figures. The rider, rendered in a white hat, black‑and‑white coat and red sash, holds a spear and gazes down at the exposed woman, whose short, curly hair and red waistcloth convey both vulnerability and defiance.

History & Provenance

Marphise belongs to the later period of Delacroix’s career, a time when he continued to explore literary subjects. The painting entered the collection of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, where it has been displayed since its acquisition in 1931.

Context

The composition reflects the Romantic fascination with dramatic literary sources and emotional intensity. By selecting a passage from Orlando Furioso, Delacroix aligns his visual narrative with the 16th‑century Italian tradition of chivalric romance, while infusing it with his own vivid color palette and dynamic movement.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Eugène Delacroix

Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix ( DEL-ə-krwah, -⁠KRWAH; French: ; 26 April 1798 – 13 August 1863) was a French Romantic artist who was regarded as the leader of the French Romantic school.