Man Clutching a Horse in Water, after Poussin's "Deluge" (recto); Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin's Deluge") (verso) by Théodore Géricault is a powerful drawing created during the pivotal years spanning 1811 to 1821. This work references the dramatic themes of survival and devastation found in Nicolas Poussin’s renowned painting, The Deluge. Executed in pen and brown ink and brush and brown wash over graphite, this drawing demonstrates the French artist’s intense engagement with Old Masters while developing his signature Romantic style.
The recto side presents a tightly focused figure struggling against the overwhelming force of the water, clinging desperately to a struggling horse. Géricault utilizes the brown ink and wash to establish deep, brooding shadows and intense highlights, emphasizing the emotional intensity and physical strain of the doomed pair. The expressive nature of the brushwork foreshadows the dynamism present in Géricault’s major canvas works and exemplifies his skill as a draughtsman.
On the verso, a tentative compositional study suggests Géricault's preliminary explorations of the themes related to Poussin's Deluge, highlighting his comprehensive planning process. As one of the leading figures of the burgeoning Romantic movement in France, Géricault often returned to dramatic historical and mythological themes. This profound study is classified as a drawing and resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. High-resolution prints of such works often enter the public domain, making detailed examination accessible for scholars globally.
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