The Spring – Eurydice bitten by a serpent while picking flowers (Eurydice’s death)
1856-1863
Delacroix captures the tragic moment from Greek mythology where Eurydice, distracted by picking flowers, is suddenly bitten by a hidden serpent. Her body swoons dramatically into the arms of a nymph, while another figure recoils in horror and a tiny satyr watches from the shadows. Painted late in his life, this loose, expressive style showcases the raw emotion and movement typical of Romanticism. It's a poignant reminder of the Orpheus myth, setting the stage for his famous journey to the underworld to retrieve her.
- Technique
- Oil painting