Seven Caricatures of Heads 1818 - 1819

Théodore Géricault crafted "Seven Caricatures of Heads" using graphite on paper. Notice how each head, rendered with swift, economical lines, seems caught in a moment of intense, if silent, drama. The composition, a seemingly random arrangement, belies a deeper structural logic. Géricault masterfully uses line to define form and evoke character. The stark contrast between the delicate strokes and the exaggerated features creates a tension, destabilizing conventional notions of portraiture. Consider the semiotic implications: Each exaggerated feature—a bulbous nose, a receding chin—functions as a signifier, hinting at underlying psychological or moral traits. Géricault's interest in physiognomy, the now-discredited "science" of judging character from facial features, comes into play. Ultimately, this drawing challenges us to question the relationship between appearance and essence, form and content, inviting us to decode the complex interplay of lines and meanings within.