A dramatic lithograph by Eugène Delacroix from his 1828 series illustrating Goethe's Faust, depicting the protagonists navigating the Hartz mountains.

This lithograph belongs to the series of seventeen illustrations Eugène Delacroix produced for the French translation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust. Published in 1828, the project captured the imagination of the public and fellow artists alike. Delacroix utilised the medium of lithography to explore the dark, atmospheric qualities of the narrative, moving away from the rigid constraints of traditional engraving. In this scene, Faust and Méphistophélés traverse the rugged terrain of the Hartz mountains. The composition is defined by a sense of urgent movement and dramatic tension. Delacroix employs heavy, expressive hatching to build the shadows of the mountain path and the dense foliage, creating a stark contrast with the lighter areas of the sky and distant peaks. The figures are rendered with a dynamic energy, their postures reflecting the supernatural and psychological weight of their journey. Méphistophélés appears as a lithe, almost serpentine figure, guiding Faust through a landscape that feels both physical and symbolic of their moral descent. Delacroix's approach to the Faustian legend is characterised by a raw, emotional intensity. He avoids overly polished lines, preferring a sketch-like quality that conveys the immediacy of the encounter. The inclusion of the original French text at the base of the print, 'Meph: Nous sommes encore loin du terme de notre course', anchors the visual narrative to the specific literary moment. This work demonstrates the artist's ability to translate complex themes of temptation and existential dread into a visual format that remains compelling. The print offers a glimpse into the Romantic fascination with the macabre and the sublime, themes that occupied Delacroix throughout his career.