The impact of Géricault's The Raft of the Medusa was profound, and stimulated Delacroix to produce his first major painting, The Barque of Dante, which was accepted by the Paris Salon of 1822. The work caused a sensation, and was largely derided by the public and officialdom, yet was purchased by the State for the Luxembourg Galleries; the pattern of widespread opposition to his work, countered by a vigorous, enlightened support, would continue throughout his life.Wellington, page xii. Two years later he again achieved popular success for his The Massacre at Chios.
The impact of Géricault's The Raft of the Medusa was profound and stimulated Delacroix to produce his first major painting The Barque of Dante which was accepted by the Paris Salon of 1822 The work caused a sensation and was largely derided by the public and officialdom yet was purchased by the State for the Luxembourg Galleries; the pattern of widespread opposition to his work countered by a vigorous enlightened support would continue throughout his lifeWellington page xii Two years later he again achieved popular success for his The Massacre at Chios