Study for ‘Swiss Sentry at the Louvre’ c. 1819

Théodore Géricault's "Study for ‘Swiss Sentry at the Louvre’" is a charcoal drawing from c. 1819. The work depicts a Swiss guard, dressed in traditional garb, including a tall hat, coat, and trousers, as well as a sword and a musket. This drawing was created as a preparatory study for Géricault’s larger painting, "Swiss Sentry at the Louvre". The artist's use of charcoal highlights the figure's strong lines and form, giving a sense of realism to the subject. This study exemplifies Géricault's mastery of figure drawing and his interest in everyday subjects.