The War Horse of Géricault

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Géricault was throughout his short life a prolific and passionate painter and draftsman. From his youth, he had the ambition to represent his time, as did David.

At 21, in 1812, while his style could still be considered as classic, he was becoming known for his depictions of horses. It was during the Empire, and the obvious common point between the horse and the news is War.

On March 27 in Paris, Artcurial sell a preparatory study in oil and black crayon on paper, 25 x 20 cm, for the Charging Officer of the Imperial Guard on Horseback (l'Officier des chasseurs à cheval de la Garde Impériale chargeant). The final version of the famous painting is kept at the Musée du Louvre.

The horse, standing on its hind legs, seen from behind, is in a position of improbable balance, and the officer brandishing his sword turns to the enemy ... or to the painter. Artcurial shows that this outline is characterized by a rapid implementation that supports the effect of swirling motion.

This important drawing is estimated 300 K €.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

This drawing has not been sold. Nevertheless it was interesting, and typical of subjects that the public knows for this artist.

The market has changed dramatically in the last twenty years. Buyers have criteria that are not confined to the signature or the topic. Our rider could not benefit from the effect of the extraordinary result of the oil of Géricault showing the children De Dreux, sold 9 million € fees included in Christie's Saint-Laurent sale on February 24.

The De Dreux children painting had been seen as a precursor of modern art, while the charging officer ranks in the tradition of the previous century.