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The History
The Romantic Era was strongly influenced by the French Revolution near
the turn of the 19th Century. The overturn of the aristocracy was
supposed to place the common man in power. This was such a novel
and unheard-of ideal that writers and artists of the time focused upon
it and were horrified when the ideals came crashing down in the Reign of
Terror. The execution of the royals and anyone who opposed those
in charge led to a social breakdown that ended up placing Napoleon in power.
Napoleon conquers Europe as the steadily growing merchant class began to
colonize Africa. With colonization, the French entered into the slave
trade with the Americas. The slave trade was booming in 1816.
In June of 1816 four ships were making their way from France to Senegal
to embark into the process of colonization and the slave trade. The
Medusa’s captain was incompetent- he only had this high ranking position
because of political influence. Because of this, the ship hit a reef
south of Tenerife, and sank. At this time, the higher class saved
themselves in the lifeboats, and left the lower class to fend for themselves.
The lower class worked together to make a raft, but the corporation didn’t
last long. With men fighting for their lives they began to turn on
each other, and they began to cannibalize the dead. This lasted for
13 days when finally a ship found them. There were 15 survivors,
but 5 more died on land. In all there were 134, mostly slaves, that
died.
Check
out the nifty concept map for an overview.
Design Elements
While looking at a painting it is very important to recognize some of the
design elements used by the painter. In The Raft of Medusa, Gericault
used some obvious and some less obvious design elements. When most people
look at the painting they can see a pyramid formed by the positioning of
the figures on the raft.
Beginning at the bottom of the painting with the dying survivors, it slowly
develops energy as you approach the top, known as The
Pyramid of Hope. One sole figure at the top of the pyramid is full
of hope and energy. A smaller pyramid accompanies The Pyramid of Hope.
This smaller pyramid is formed by the small sail
guidelines to help draw the eye to the face full of emotion in front
of the sail.
If you were to look closely you would see a x-shape
across the raft. Lighting is an important element in the forming of the
x-shape. The two lines cross in the middle of the raft. One really dark
line, a dark shadow and the other a dim light is casting on the raft. With
both of these design elements the viewer’s eye easily moves through the
painting.
Check out the nifty concept map for an overview.
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