Illustrations for Faust: Méphistophélés in the air
1828
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1828
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Illustrations for Faust: Méphistophélés in the air is a 1828 by Eugène Delacroix, a Romanticism work, depicting eros, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
A dark, winged figure rides through stormy skies on a pale horse, cape flying. Below, tiny figures run in panic across a village. The sky glows red, and smoke rises from burning homes. This drawing is part of a series Delacroix made for a French version of Goethe’s *Faust*. He didn’t illustrate the whole story, just key scenes that matched his dramatic style. Mephistopheles, the devil-like figure here, was a favorite subject — Delacroix drew him many times, always with wild energy. The artist used quick lines and strong contrasts to show movement and fear. You can see this piece at The Cleveland Museum of Art. (Word count: 108)
