The Raft of the Medusa
The raft of the Medusa is a painting of Theodor Gericault that depicts a moment from the aftermath of the wreck of the French naval frigate Méduse, which ran aground off the coast of today's Mauritania on July 5, 1816. At least 147 people were set adrift on a hurriedly constructed raft; all but 15 died in the 13 days before their rescue, and those who survived endured starvation, dehydration, cannibalism and madness. The event became an international scandal. Gericault paint this work between 1818–1819, he undertook extensive research and produced many preparatory sketches. He interviewed two of the survivors, and constructed a detailed scale model of the raft. His efforts took him to morgues and hospitals where he could view, first-hand, the colour and texture of the flesh of the dying and dead. Now, the raft of the Medusa is in the Louvre museum. I made some sketches direct in the gallery infront a painting, and later I work in my home in studys and variatons around the details and fragments of the painting.
