Géricault exhibition in Paris

Mennessier de La Lance describes Théodore Géricault ‘s (1791-1824) attraction to horses as follows: “ Fascinated by horses from childhood, he sought every opportunity to draw them from life and took up riding early on, with success. He first drew in Carle Vernet 's studio, then entered that of Guérin , becoming his pupil. He made complete anatomical studies of the horse, which he mastered admirably. Most of his works feature one or more horses. He often took his models from the large draught horses, but all breeds were represented by him. In his horse scenes, nature, which he always studied and conscientiously portrayed, is caught in the act and gives these charming compositions a special character of truth. There is no trace of carelessness in his drawing: the anatomy of his horses is always impeccable, their movements, often so difficult for the human eye to grasp, are lively, animated and natural. [...]”

The Musée de la Vie Romantique in Paris is celebrating the bicentenary of Mennessier's death with a display that shows the different facets of his depiction of the horse. We find the war horse as a political animal, where Napoleon and Mamelukes share the ardour of confrontation, the stable of wounded horses, the draught horse in exertion, the flying gallop of the proud steeds of the Epsom Derby, among others.