Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, 1824-27By Eugene Delacroix

Eugene Delacroix (1798 – 1863) survived nearly burning to death, choking, drowning, poisoning and accidental self-hanging to become the leading painter of the French Romantic movement. Delacroix initially educated himself by copying the works of old masters in the Louvre. He later dedicated himself to epic, emotionally charged interpretations of scenes from literature, mythology, religion, politics and history, abounding in extraordinary colors. Delacroix painted murals for the king’s chamber at the Palais Bourbon, the Louvre and the Museum of History at Versailles. Creating an astounding 9,000 artworks in his lifetime, he profoundly influenced Van Gogh, Renoir and Seurat.