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

Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso) was painted by Théodore Géricault in 1816.

Where can I see Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso)?

Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

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

Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso)?

Museum-quality prints of Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

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

Théodore Géricault , 1816

Compositional Study? (possibly for "Poussin’s Deluge") (verso) is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Théodore Géricault. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2008.378.b
Credit line: Bequest of Muriel Butkin

About this work

If you like this raw energy, look up sfumato, a technique that softens edges, the opposite of Géricault’s sharp lines here.

You see a small, rough sketch of a man and a horse fighting to stay above water. The man grips the horse’s mane, both figures twisted in panic.

This isn’t an original idea, it’s Géricault copying a tiny part of a much older painting by Poussin. Around 1815, he started drawing like this, using thick outlines and broad strokes to mimic old-master style. It’s like he’s practicing, not inventing.

If you like this raw energy, look up sfumato, a technique that softens edges, the opposite of Géricault’s sharp lines here.

Overview

This small drawing depicts a desperate scene of a man and horse struggling to stay afloat, executed in a style reminiscent of classical antiquity. The work is not an original composition but a copy of a detail from Nicolas Poussin's 'The Deluge, or Winter'.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, borrowed from Poussin, conveys intense panic through the twisted, clinging figures of a man and horse amidst a (implied) deluge. The emotional intensity is palpable despite the small scale.

Technique & Style

Characterized by heavy contour lines and broad washes, the drawing reflects Géricault's 'antique manner', developed around 1815. This style emulates old masters, contrasting with softer techniques like sfumato.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1815, the drawing marks Géricault's period of intense study of past art, including works by Raphael, Michelangelo, and Poussin, through copies and prints of ancient sculptures.