Théodore Géricault

THÉODORE GÉRICAULT (Rouen, 1791- Paris, 1824).
"Cuirassier with his back turned", ca. 1814-1815.
Gouache on paper.
Signed in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 29 x 21 cm; 50 x 41 cm (frame).

The one presented in this gouache is a cuirassier with his back turned, demonstrating Géricault's interest in military subjects, horses and army life. The character turns his back to us as the equine shows us his hindquarters. A military camp tent is ultimately presented.

Théodore Géricault was recognized for his contribution to Romanticism and, in particular, for his works on military subjects and horses. One of his most outstanding works in this field is "Officer of Hunters in Charge". This work is one of his first major paintings and won him the gold medal at the Paris Salon of 1812. It depicts an officer of the Imperial Guard on horseback, on a charge, demonstrating his interest in depicting the action and energy of military life. Horses were another of Gericault's passions. He painted hundreds of equines and practiced horsemanship with the same impetus as painting. Gericault's most famous work is undoubtedly "The Raft of the Medusa", a painting now in the Louvre Museum in Paris.