Culture and Reference

The Raft of the Medusa

Théodore Géricault · 1818–1819

The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault, Louvre
Théodore Géricault · Public domain · View the original file on Wikimedia Commons
Artist
Théodore Géricault
Year
1818–1819
Technique
oil on canvas
Movement
Romanticism
Location
Museu do Louvre, Paris

De onde vem o dado

About this image

Théodore Géricault · Public domain. View the original file on Wikimedia Commons.

Como ler este número

What Romanticism is

"The Raft of the Medusa" regularly appears on lists of the world's most famous paintings for representing Romanticism of the 19th century well, and for having influenced generations of artists after Théodore Géricault.

When and how "The Raft of the Medusa" was painted

"The Raft of the Medusa" is a work by Théodore Géricault, made in 1818–1819 — more than 208 years ago — using oil on canvas, associated with Romanticism.

The original of "The Raft of the Medusa" is on display today at the Museu do Louvre, in Paris (França), and the image on this page is a public-domain photographic reproduction of that same painting, not a photo of the venue.

Why "The Raft of the Medusa" is considered significant

"The Raft of the Medusa" regularly appears on lists of the world's most famous paintings for representing Romanticism of the 19th century well, and for having influenced generations of artists after Théodore Géricault.

This site covers only this one work by Théodore Géricault; the artist's own page has the full biographical context.

Glossário: os termos desta página

Public domain

A work whose copyright protection has expired — usually decades after the author's death, the exact term varies by country — so it can be freely reproduced, including on an ad-supported site.

Ver no glossário completo

Oil on canvas

A painting technique using pigment mixed with a drying oil (such as linseed oil), applied to a linen or cotton canvas stretched over a frame.

Ver no glossário completo

Visual arts glossary — todos os 8 termos.

See the artist page