Théodore Géricault

Biography

Jean-Louis-André-Théodore Géricault was born on September 26, 1791, in Rouen, France. He became known as a French painter, graphic artist, and sculptor, an important figure of Romanticism. Géricault successfully combined various art forms in his creative practice, including oil painting, lithography, sculpture, and hundreds of drawings. His most famous masterpiece is the painting "Raft of the Medusa," created between 1818 and 1819. This work was recognized as a new milestone in Western painting, though its full significance was appreciated later. Horses and horse racing held a special place in Géricault's work, including notable pieces such as "The Epsom Derby of 1821" and "Head of a White Horse." He also painted portraits, for example, "Portrait of a Kleptomaniac." Géricault lived a short life and died on January 26, 1824, in Paris. Despite his relatively brief career, he left a significant mark on the history of French Romanticism and art overall.