Théodore Géricault

Written by Vanna Chin

Friday, 01 May 2009 00:00

Théodore Géricault

Right, so where does this lead? He was an important French painter, but why was he? The idea of becoming important in the art world is illusive, perplexing, and meaningless. That one, with determination and talent, can be plucked out of obscurity by jeweled hands, and thrust into a world that holds art in highest regard is ideal, for the painter, but not a reality.

The Raft of the Medusa- Théodore Géricault- Oil on canvas

Museum of the Louvre

There are many good, and even great painters; artists. They have skill, they can paint a life, and the story behind it; a bead of water, rolling down a leaf in such detail as to render the viewer stunned by the artists' hand. But still, I think most (modern) painters find it difficult to extract three dimensional meaning from a 2 dimensional medium. Géricault was not one of them.

A painting has been brought to my attention by an acquaintance of mine, and I'd like to take a moment to write a little bit about it. The Raft of the Medusa was a painting that Géricault completed in his early to mid-twenties (incredible, non?). A controversial work that depicted a French shipwreck, where the captain had left the passengers and crew to die. I know that the work depicts a formidable tragedy, but it is the way in which he tells the story that is so romantic, yet undoubtedly scathing. Of course the rendering has a classicisists hand, but it also has a skeptics tongue. As bodies lay strewn about, the living wrestle to stay afloat upon the choppy, writhing waves of the sea. The sky is part gray, and black, and blue, and pale human flesh drift wanly out of scene, as the sorrowful dead float like spectors, that glide over corruption.

This painting has an unrivaled richness of meaning. I believe it to be psychologically arresting, heart-breaking, beautiful, and utterly satisfying. I do not want to get into it any further, because I see myself in it, and only I know me.

Truly,

Vanna

http://woodclaywater.blogspot.com/2008/09/thodore-gricault.html

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/gericault_theodore.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9odore_G%C3%A9ricault

Bio:

My name is Vanna Chin and I am a 23 year old artist currently working out of the DC metropolitan area. I attended The George Washington University, but left before matriculation to pursue a career in painting, full time. I work in all sorts of mediums, but at the moment, oils are my material of choice. In my free time I enjoy visiting art galleries (Of course) and writing, which can range from short stories to poetry. Working as a freelance artist, though feast or famine, is an undeniably fulfilling "job," and I do not regret my decision to pursue what I love, not in the least.

Last Updated ( Friday, 19 March 2010 20:43 )