Lot Essay
THE ORIGINAL, ON CANVAS, 349 X 226 CM, IS IN THE LOUVRE, INV. NO.4885 (L. GOWING, PAINTINGS IN THE LOUVRE, 1987, PP.628/9, ILL.). IT WAS PAINTED IN 1814 AND EXHIBITED AT THE SALON IN THE SAME YEAR, WHEN IT WAS ACQUIRED BY LOUIS PHILIPPE. IT ENTERED THE LOUVRE AFTER THE LOUIS PHILIPPE SALE IN 1851. WITH EUGèNE DELACROIX, GéRICAULT IS REGARDED AS THE FIRST EXPONENT OF THE ROMANTIC MOVEMENT, LAYING EMPHASIS ON COLOUR AND MOVEMENT AND THUS REFLECTING THE TURBULENCE OF THE TIMES.