The Shipwreck of the Medusa

Provoked by the wreck of a French naval vessel and the loss of most of her crew, The Shipwreck of the Medusa is Géricault most ambitious work and a landmark of early modern painting. In 1820 Géricault took this monumental canvas to England for a traveling exhibition. As part of the promotional effort, he collaborated with the accomplished early lithographer Charlet to produce for visitors this small-scale reproduction of the painting. If modest as an example of early lithography, the print is a fascinating precursor of the contemporary poster and postcard as an exhibition souvenir. Because of its more ephemeral nature and function, it is today an uncommon print.