Gericault

Théodore Géricault was born the 26 of September 1791 and died the 26 of January 1824 (age 32). Theodore Gericault is a French artist who helped initiate the Romantic movement. He is known as the founder of Romanticism in France. His life as a whole resembled Romanticism. For instance, he did not care for his personal safety, he always stood up for the poor, and dedicated himself to an emotional life. Gericault was influence by Michelangelo’s muscular and dynamic figures, but not his classical surroundings. His first major work, The Charging Chasseur, exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1812.

Gericault most famous painting was Raft of the Medusa (date 1818-1819). For the first time an artist had depicted an event from contemporary history without having received a commission. The compisition was filled up with anonymous figures. The painting is a scathing statement on the government then in power. The history behind this painting that that in 1816 a ship named Medusa sank because of the stupidity of the captain. There was a shortage of life boats so 149 people were cramped on a raft and drifted for 12 days. There was only 15 survivors and they survived off cannibalism.   In the corner of the painting we see the ship that rescued the called “The Argus”. The dark clouds and choppy waves create the feeling of uselessness and hope. The expression of the peoples faces on the raft create a fearful vibe. The composition has two pyramids made up of the people on the raft. One of the dead slowly deteriorating and dying and another of tragic heros. 


By: Amanda