Eugene Delacroix

Laayla Muhammad
Block 1
May 24, 2007

Eugene Delacroix
If Eugene Delacroix painted my portrait, he would capture the moment while I am protesting against the government at an immigration march. Delacroix is known to have a Romantic style in his paintings, as he chooses historical events to depict the points he’s trying to make. I would be leading a crowd with a picket sign stating “Give Equal Rights!” I would be wearing a tank top, which’s straps would be falling off due to the struggle of being pushed and shoved in different directions of the crowd. I would be sweaty and my hair would be tied up in a ponytail. One of my arms will be raised, with my hand curled up like a fist in the air. While facing the crowd, the front and side of my body would be facing the viewers. The setting will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin around downtown around in the late afternoon, making the time the sun sets just around the corner.
The portrait painted would contain certain characteristics that would cause it to be labeled as a Romantic piece of art by Delacroix. The background would emphasize the rays of the sun, making the overall tint of the painting orange-red. This color resembles the anger and frustration involved in the historical event taken place. My face expression would be of a furious individual who has her mouth open due to all the shouting. The crowd along and I would be fighting for justice and complete liberty, something Delacroix would likely capture in his painting.
The image would seem hectic at first, when viewers notice the angry crowd. Within few seconds, the attention would be brought upon me, as viewers try to comprehend the point of the picture along with the mood. I would be standing on top of government officials that would be held responsible for the wrong decisions made at the time. They would be trying to escape from underneath my feet but I would be carelessly stomping on their wrists with brand new watches. This action would resemble my protest against the concept of “killing time,” when it comes to the process of immigration. The fog in the picture would resemble the confusion that the government is responsible of. The temporary cry of the children since their picket signs are broken would reflect not only their innocence and inability to understand the rally, but their instability in staying as residents in America at the time
. Delacroix is known to bring attention to historical political events through his paintings often. While in the past he captured such a moment in “Liberty Leading the People,” in the present he would surely paint one of female leaders in the immigration protest march. The colors of the image resemble the emotions felt by the individuals painted in the portrait while the individuals and their actions captured reflect the happenings of not only the present, but also the future time. If Delacroix happened to paint my portrait, I would sure be a leading female in an immigration march, fighting for justice and the freedom immigrants deserve.