Man Clutching a Horse in Water, after Poussin’s “Deluge” c. 1816

Théodore Géricault's "Man Clutching a Horse in Water, after Poussin’s “Deluge”" is a powerful drawing created around 1816. The study, executed in brown ink and wash, depicts a figure clinging to a horse in a desperate struggle against the overwhelming forces of nature. Géricault’s work, inspired by Nicolas Poussin’s "Deluge", captures the drama and intensity of the biblical flood through the expressive gestures of his figures. The drawing reflects Géricault's fascination with the human condition in the face of extreme adversity, a theme that would later come to define his masterpiece, "The Raft of the Medusa" (1818-1819). This study of a drowning man and horse is a testament to Géricault's talent for conveying powerful emotions through expressive line and form.