Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault

Jean Louis André Théodore Géricault was a French painter born on September 26, 1791, in Rouen, France, and he passed away on January 26, 1824, in Paris. He was a seminal figure in the Romantic movement, known for his dynamic compositions and dramatic use of color and light. Géricault's most renowned work, "The Raft of the Medusa" (1818–1819), is a monumental painting that critiques contemporary political events and exemplifies his interest in human suffering and heroism. His early death at the age of 32 curtailed a promising career, yet his influence persisted, impacting artists such as Eugène Delacroix and shaping the trajectory of 19th-century French painting. Géricault's oeuvre, though limited in quantity, is celebrated for its emotional intensity and innovative approach to subject matter.