Meta-Impressionism / other artists:

Théodore Géricault

1791 – 1824

pioneer of Romanticism

Introduction:
This page renders some info and paintings on Théodore Géricault (1791-1824). He is seen as the pioneer of Romanticism in France (R172,p60), but some works also foreshaded Realism (R322,p211).

E.-J.-Horace Vernet (1789-1863): 1822-23ca, Théodore Gericault, 47x38, Metropolitan (M23;iR6) =EdBA-1898-296 — E.-J.-Horace Vernet (1789-1863): 1822-23ca, Théodore Gericault, 47×38, Metropolitan (M23;iR6) =EdBA-1898-296

Théodore Géricault as an artist:
Géricault his oeuvre is not very large, cause he died at the age of 32. In his early years he copied at the Louvre, studied anatomy and horses and rendered military scenes. In 1816 he failed for the Prix de Rome (M4). In 1816 and 1817 he stayed in Italy. Around 1818 he made a serie of landscapes depicting the time of day. The landscapes seem more idealized (using memories of landscapes in Italy). The skies render an air of anxiety and a turbulent mood, which make it an example of Romanticism (M23;M4). His masterpiece the ‘Raft of the Médusa’↑, which according to some caused a scandal at the Salon of 1819 (R172,p60;R13,p260;iR1); others state it received mixed reception (R322,p211). It showed a tragedy from recent history involving ordinary people (1816). In 1820 he met Constable in England (R13,p260). And in 1821 still being in England, he depicted the theme of horse racing. Horses already had been a favourite subject of his. In 1821 he made a serie of lithographs, which foreshaded Realism (R322,p211). Around 1822 he made a serie of insane people like a scientific documentalist; they are examples of expressive realism (iR3; R293,p410;R322,p213). His brushwork recalls Rubens (R322,p208).

Géricault pictures:
Here below you will find some pictures of Théodore Géricault. They will be rendered by form and chronological.

Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1812, Officier de chasseurs à cheval de la garde impériale chargeant (An officer of the Imperial horse guards charging), 349x266, Louvre (iR2;iR1;iR23;iR6;iR10;R322,p207;M5) Expos: S1812-415, Portrait équestre de M. D; S1814-433, Un hussard chargeant. — Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1812, Officier de chasseurs à cheval de la garde impériale chargeant (An officer of the Imperial horse guards charging), 349×266, Louvre (iR2;iR1;iR23;iR6;iR10;R322,p207;M5) Expos: S1812-415, Portrait équestre de M. D; S1814-433, Un hussard chargeant.

Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1814, Wounded Cuirassier leaving the field of battle, 358x294, Louvre (iR10;iR245;iR6;iR1;iR23;R293,p409;M5) Expo: S1814-435, Cuirassier blessé, quittant le feu. — Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1814, Wounded Cuirassier leaving the field of battle, 358×294, Louvre (iR10;iR245;iR6;iR1;iR23;R293,p409;M5) Expo: S1814-435, Cuirassier blessé, quittant le feu.

Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1814-15ca, Trompette de Hussards d’Orléans en grande tenue, ?cm, unknown location (iR10;iR64;R231-1+2) =EU-1900-C-319, Le Trompette (à M. Sarlin)

Géricault (1791-1824): 1818, Evening (Landscape with an Aqueduct), 250x220, Metropolitan (iR10;M23;iR2) — Géricault (1791-1824): 1818, Evening (Landscape with an Aqueduct), 250×220, Metropolitan (iR10;M23;iR2)

Géricault (1791-1824): 1822-23ca, A Madwoman and Compulsive Gambler, 77x65, Louvre (iR6;iR23;R293,p410) — Géricault (1791-1824): 1822-23ca, A Madwoman and Compulsive Gambler, 77×65, Louvre (iR6;iR23;R293,p410)

Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1817ca, Horse stopped by slaves, 48x60, MBA Rouen (HW;iR6;iR10;iR127;M12;R231-1) =!? EU-1900-C-316, Cheval arrêté par des esclaves (Musée de Rouen). — Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1817ca, Horse stopped by slaves, 48×60, MBA Rouen (HW;iR6;iR10;iR127;M12;R231-1) =!? EU-1900-C-316, Cheval arrêté par des esclaves (Musée de Rouen).

Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1818ca, The raft of the Méduse (2nd study), 65x83, Louvre (iR10;iR6;iR23;R231-1;M5) =EU-1900-C-317, Le radeau de la 'Méduse', esquisse (à M. Moreau-Nélaton) — Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1818ca, The raft of the Méduse (2nd study), 65×83, Louvre (iR10;iR6;iR23;R231-1;M5) =EU-1900-C-317, Le radeau de la ‘Méduse’, esquisse (à M. Moreau-Nélaton)

Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1821, Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, litho, 32x38, BM London (iR6;iR10;R322,p212;M147) — Théodore Géricault (1791-1824): 1821, Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, litho, 32×38, BM London (iR6;iR10;R322,p212;M147)

Sources:
My main sources are: My main sources are Rauch (2000=R293,p318-412); Petra ten-Doesschate Chu (2012=R322,p207-213); Krausse (R172,p60-62); Schilderkunst van A tot Z (1987=R13,p174/5+260+624/5); Walther (2013=R3); Roberts (1965=R61); the Salon database (iR1); catalogues of the Exposition Universelles (R231). See the link for other general References (=Rx), to the internet references (=iRx) and Musea (=M). See links for practical hints and abbreviations and for the subscription of the paintings.

Additional references:

Recommanded citation: “Meta-Impressionism: Théodore Géricault (1791-1824), pioneer of Romantism in France. Last modified 2025/09/29. https://www.impressionism.nl/gericault-1791-1824/”