Théodore Géricault: A Titan of Romanticism Théodore Géricault (1821 – 1874) stands as a pivotal figure in the transition from Neoclassicism to Romanticism, a painter whose turbulent life and intensely dramatic works profoundly shaped the course of French art. Born into a family with Huguenot roots—a Protestant minority fleeing religious persecution—Géricault’s early experiences instilled within him a deep sense of social awareness and a fascination with human suffering. His career, though tragically short, was marked by radical subject matter, innovative techniques, and an unwavering commitm…