Created:
Movement:
1818/19
Romanticism
key Notes:
Macabre Realism, Anatomical Study
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Dimensions:
41 × 38 cm (16 1/8 × 14 15/16 in.); Framed: 53.3 × 50.8 × 7.6 cm (21 × 20 × 3 in.)
medium:
Oil on panel
Difficulty:
Expert
New game
story of the work:

We have not been able to find much information about this work, or we believe the information we sourced needed more review.

Head of a Guillotined Man by Jean-Louis-André-Théodore Géricault

Jean-Louis-André-Théodore Géricault (1791–1824) was a pivotal figure in the Romantic movement, known for his dramatic and emotive works. "Head of a Guillotined Man," created in 1818/19, exemplifies his fascination with the human condition and mortality. This oil on panel painting is part of a series of studies Géricault conducted on severed heads, reflecting his interest in the macabre and the psychological depth of his subjects. The work is significant for its raw depiction of death, challenging the viewer to confront the realities of life and execution during a turbulent period in French history. Géricault's exploration of such themes was groundbreaking, influencing later artists who sought to capture the complexities of human emotion and experience. His work continues to be studied for its technical mastery and its profound impact on the trajectory of 19th-century art.

Description of the work:

Head of a Guillotined Man by Jean-Louis-André-Théodore Géricault

This oil on panel painting, created in 1818/19, exemplifies Géricault's fascination with the macabre and the human condition, characteristic of the Romantic style. The work is noted for its realistic depiction of a severed head, reflecting the artist's interest in anatomical studies and the themes of mortality and suffering.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Art Institute of Chicago

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Head of a Guillotined Man