Théodore Géricault

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 is best known as a pioneer of the Romantic movement in art, which emphasized emotion and individualism, often in contrast to the rationalism of the Enlightenment. Géricault's most renowned work, "The Raft of the Medusa" (1818-1819), is a monumental painting that depicts the aftermath of a contemporary shipwreck, highlighting human suffering and resilience. His innovative approach to composition and dramatic use of light and shadow significantly influenced the development of Romanticism and inspired subsequent artists, including Eugène Delacroix. Despite his relatively short life, Géricault's oeuvre, which also includes equestrian portraits and studies of the insane, left a lasting impact on the trajectory of 19th-century art.