Assassination of Tiberius

The detailed drawing Assassination of Tiberius by Théodore Géricault, created around 1816-1817, exemplifies the intensity and dramatic focus central to French Romantic art. Executed skillfully in pen and brown ink, this work demonstrates Géricault's masterful control over line and compositional drama. The artist achieved a striking use of light and shadow through meticulous cross-hatching, giving the small drawing a powerful sense of volumetric form and immediate action. The classification as a drawing suggests this piece was either a preparatory sketch for a larger planned work or an intense study of a historical moment marked by political violence and classical tragedy, themes that deeply fascinated Géricault and his contemporaries.

Géricault employs the medium to heighten emotional tension, focusing on the figures crowded into a confined, shallow space. The energetic lines suggest violent movement and immediate peril, characterizing the dramatic historical scenes the artist often pursued. The intense study of anatomy and gesture seen here reflects Géricault’s commitment to academic rigor infused with Romantic passion, preparing him to paint the monumental canvases for which he is renowned. This powerful example of historical drawing, originating in France, is currently housed in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. For those seeking access to high-quality reproductions, many such preparatory studies by Géricault are now available in the public domain, allowing enthusiasts access to fine art prints detailing his profound contribution to the arts.