DELACROIX Eugène (1798-1863) painter. L.A.S. "Eug Delacroix", March 15 [1855], to Ernest LEGOUVÉ; 1 1/2 pages in-8 (slight fading). Congratulations on his election to the French Academy. He has just learned of Legouvé's election "in the middle of my studio from which I do not leave and occupied exclusively with finishing my paintings. I compliment the Academy on its good taste: your Medea, which I have read and read well, is a vigorous attempt that the academies in general do not welcome easily. I am a small proof of this reluctance to crown what leaves the classical rut; I am very happy at least that it is a Medea like yours which forced the barrier and put you where you must be "... [It is known that Delacroix painted a superb Medea (Palais des Beaux-Arts of Lille). Legouvé's tragedy, Médée, written for Rachel who refused to play it, had been printed the year before].