Fun Facts: Théodore Gericault 1791-1824

Théodore Géricault, Public Domain

Théodore Géricault, Public Domain

Théodore Géricault, The Raft of the Medusa-Detail, Public Domain

In honor of the anniversary of Gericault’s September birthday, lets get into our fun facts.

Theodore was born in Rouen, France in 1791.

His father was opposed to his artistic pursuits, but he did it anyway secretly and started studying with Carle Vernet (1758-1836), who painted military and genre subjects.

He competed regulary in Ecole/Salon competitions.

Gericault’s debut was the painting Charging Chasseur (Musée du Louvre, Paris).

He made a final submission to the Salon in 1819, which was a painting we now know as Raft of the Medusa (Musée du Louvre, Paris), in which he won a gold medal and a state commission.

Theodore travelled with the painting through Britain where he displayed it at various places including the Royal Academy of Art and was financially and critically successful.

Gericault remained in Britain for a couple of years where he was productive and created watercolors/drawings of horse racing paintings, horseman, horse caretakers, beggars, and lithographic pictures of modern day life.

He returned to Paris and his health started fading, due to his tubercular condition and horse-riding accidents.

Theodore completed ten paintings known as the portraits of the insane and was working on two major modern history paintings, including Opening of the Doors of the Inquisition.

During his lifetime, he also completed a number of sculptures, which were never shown publicly, while he was alive.

Gericault is commonly called a genius who he died in his creative prime at only 32 years of age.

Source: nga.gov

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