When Medea was exhibited at the Salon, the picture was generally praised. Gustave Planche wrote in the Revue du XIXe Steele, April 1, 1838: "This certainly is a picture of rare merit,
perhaps the most beautiful that M. Delacroix has ever produced, for one finds in it all the qualities which he successively developed in the decoration of the Salon du Roi at the Chamber of
Deputies, and in his Medea these qualities are united with the energy, the dramatic expression so ardently sought after by the artist in his earlier works and which gave the first foundation to
his reputation."
La Quotidienne of March 2, 1838, stated: "The picture is striking in aspect; one feels truly moved at the sight of this demented mother with haggard eye, pale face, dry, livid mouth, palpitating
flesh, and oppressed bosom. There is an admirable animation in these three figures and a vigor in the drawing and color which surprises, touches, and cancels out the one thing one might hold
against Eugene Delacroix, the shadow thrown across the top of Medea's face." The critic of Le Constitutionnel, April 5, 1838, while regretting the lack of character of the principal figure,
found that"... as for relief, color, the magical chiaroscuro effects, and the perfect harmony of all parts among themselves, the French school has never attained such heights; the landscape is
still another merit, being touched with fire and adding much to the interest of the scene. . . ." The enthusiasm of George Sand, who was a friend of the painter's, was expressed in a letter
written in April, 1838 : "I would not want to leave without saying goodbye to you, nor without speaking of your Medea, which is something magnificent, superb,
heart-rending; decidedly, you are one great dauber!"
MOST POPULAR PAINTINGS
Liberty Leading the People
The Death of Sardanapalus
The Massacre at Chios
The Barque of Dante
The Women of Algiers
Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi
Entry of the Crusaders in Constantinople
The Fanatics of Tangier