Head of a Guillotined Man 1818 - 1819

Théodore Géricault's "Head of a Guillotined Man" (1818-1819) is a powerful and unsettling depiction of the aftermath of a guillotining. The painting's stark realism and graphic detail—the severed neck, the blood, the lifeless gaze—force the viewer to confront the brutality of the French Revolution. Géricault's fascination with death and suffering is evident in this work, which was likely inspired by the artist's own interest in anatomy and his time spent sketching in hospitals. "Head of a Guillotined Man" exemplifies Géricault's bold exploration of realism and exploration of human mortality and the impact of violent events on the human psyche.