Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso)

Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso) by Théodore Géricault is an evocative example of the French master's preparatory work, utilizing the fluid combination of brown wash and black crayon. Dating from the period 1811-1821, this drawing demonstrates Géricault’s intense investigation into dynamic human forms and dramatic narrative. The verso notation suggests its function as an exploratory sketch, likely abandoned or revised as Géricault prepared for a major painted work. This drawing provides critical insight into the genesis of his monumental canvases, showcasing his ability to capture rapid action and emotional distress through quickly applied lines and tone.

The tentative subject matter links the study to Nicholas Poussin’s renowned treatment of the Deluge, a classical theme Géricault reinterpreted with the emotional fervor characteristic of the early Romantic movement in France. Unlike the measured control of classicism, Géricault’s composition here emphasizes chaotic movement and psychological crisis, visible through the vigorous application of the wash that quickly defines straining musculature and figures caught in moments of desperation. This technique reveals the artist's working process, where he rapidly blocked out large masses and defined the overall composition before refining individual forms.

Such preparatory pieces are invaluable to understanding Géricault, the artist known primarily for the iconic The Raft of the Medusa. Although the specific connection to a final painting remains speculative, the expressive quality of this study confirms Géricault’s status as a foundational figure in modern French art. This drawing, preserved in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, provides scholars and the public with a direct view into the complex visual thinking of one of the 19th century's great draftsmen.