This concise and authoritative new study of the French Romantic artist Eugéne Delacroix (1798-1863) is a comprehensive introduction to and an insightful reappraisal of the life and works of one of the most influential artists of the nineteenth century. Delacroix was regarded from the outset of his career as the leader of the French Romantic School. His use of expressive brushstrokes and his study of the optical effects of colour profoundly shaped the work of the Impressionists, while his passion for the exotic inspired the artists of the Symbolist movement.áIn this book, Simon Lee considers Delacroix´s life and art within the context of his fascinating and tumultuous age in the years following the French Revolution and the rise of the British Empire, analyzing and explaining his artistic processes. All Delacroix´s major works, from Liberty Leading the People to Orientalist works to portraits, including paintings, drawings and prints, are illustrated generously and explored in depth.á