THE RAFT OF THE MEDUSA

Théodore Géricault

Artist

Théodore Géricault (1791–1824)

Date

1818–1819

Dimensions

491 x 716 cm

Medium

Oil on canvas

Location

Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

One of the key works of French Romantic painting records a real tragedy: in 1816 the French naval frigate Méduse ran aground off the coast of West Africa (Senegal), and part of the crew was forced onto a makeshift raft. Of the nearly 150 people, only 15 survived almost two weeks adrift. The painting depicts the moment when the survivors catch sight of a distant rescue ship.

There is no explanation page for this painting; the data were filled in based on recognition of the painting.