Revolution, death , transformation and art: Delacroix's 'Scenes from the Massacres at Chios'

“Of all foreign artists, Delacroix is the one whose name is most closely associated with the Greek Revolution of 1821.” By examining this famous Romantic painting, 'Scenes from the Massacres at Chios', it will become apparent that the particular characteristics and life of this artist, who empathised on a deeply personal level with the Greek cause, enabled him to produce a work of enduring meaning and relevance.This paper was originally presented at the Ninth Biennial International Conference of Greek Studies, Flinders University, June 2011

The Massacres of Chios by Eugène Delacroix – Process, Meaning and Effect

What makes a great work of art? Why do we have works of art? Why do we need works of art? I decided to explore these questions by deconstructing the ideo - logical workings and conflicting narratives contained in a painting that has attracted and puzzled me for many years.The Massacres of Chios was first exhibited at the famous Paris Salon of August 1824. It is based on the massacre of thousands of civilians on the island of Chios in 1822.