Delacroix's Africa

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In this reading Delacroix writes letters to other famous painters of the time informing them of his travels to Northern Africa. Delacroix is infatuated with the idea of a new and exotic culture; mostly it seems he just wants to escape the banality of Paris and the civilized world. Upon arriving in Africa Delacroix explains in his letter to Theodore Gudin how sorry he feels for artists who "might never get a glimpse of these...unspoilt, Sublime children of nature." (pg 184) By this he is referring to the African people as people who still retain their inherent kinship with nature, rather than being spoiled and distracted by contemporary innovations. Later, in his letter to opera director M. Duponchel, he also reveals his disdain for the Bourgeoisie, or upper class. He continues explaining his love for the native people based on their being "the exact opposite of that (Bourgeoisie)". (pg 185) Even though things turn sour in the time following this, (he gets put into a prison for a while) Delacroix retains his preference for the rich and colorful culture of Northern Africa over that of Paris. Upon returning home, Delacroix explains how bored he is with all the art and theatre and dance. Delacroix realizes that upperclass, "civilized" culture is phony and shallow. This realization, coupled with his new view on beauty, allows him to create imaginative and unique worlds in his paintings. He avoids painting things seen daily, and digs into deeper more primal human emotions. He accomplishes this by focusing on color and movement in his pieces rather than on line or formal

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