Profession: Painter
Biography: Théodore Géricault was a French artist, best known for his painting The Raft of the Medusa. This painting was based upon the contemporary French shipwreck of the Meduse, in which passengers were evacuated to a raft which drifted for 13 days at sea.
The shipwreck of the Meduse is famous for the turmoil which followed upon the raft and its eventual rescue, at which it became apparent that those who survived had engaged in cannibalism. This was the subject of Géricault's famous painting.
Géricault also painted a series of portraits of 'patients of his friend, Dr. Étienne-Jean Georget, who was a pioneer of psychiatric medicine.
Born: September 26, 1791
Birthplace: Rouen, Normandy, France
Star Sign: Libra
Died: January 26, 1824 (aged 32)
Historical Events
- 1816-07-02 French frigate "La Méduse" runs aground under incompetent leadership of Viscount of Chaumareys, 400 passengers evacuated. 150 men, 1 woman are left on "la Machine," a poorly provisioned raft. 13 days later only 15 survivors remain, inspires Théodore Géricault's painting "The Raft of the Medusa"
- 1816-07-17 "L'Argus" accidentally discovers raft holding survivors from wrecked French frigate "Méduse." After 13 days at sea only 15 of 151 remain, the rest having been cannibalised, murdered, or committed suicide. This event was made famous by Théodore Géricault’s painting "The Raft of the Medusa"
- 1819-08-25 Paris Salon opens with Théodore Géricault’s painting "Raft of the Medusa" causing a sensation
Arnold Schoenberg
Berthe Morisot
Georgia O'Keeffe
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Lili Elbe
Piet Mondrian