Théodore Géricault
(France 1791–1824)
- Title
- The boxers
- Year
- 1818
- Media category
- Materials used
- lithograph
- Edition
- ii of 2 states
- Dimensions
-
35.5 x 41.5cm image; 42.4 x 58.8cm sheet
- Credit
- Parramore Purchase Fund 2004
- Accession number
- 292.2004
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
The print is considered to be the first masterpiece of lithography. Géricault sought to derive maximum pictorial effect from the medium by pitting the two opponents against each other not just by their stances and the contrasting colour of their skin, but by an adept reversal of his drawing technique. The strongly modelled torso of the black figure is drawn in pen and ink while soft crayon is used for his trousered legs. The reverse technique is used for the white boxer. Géricault would have seen amateur boxing matches in Paris but he was probably more directly inspired by popular English sporting prints.
- Bibliography (17)
-
'More than a boxing match? Gallery gets its first Géricault, a rare lithograph' by Peter Raissis, pg.8-9, Look Apr 2005, Apr 2005, 8-9, 9 (illus.).
École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts (France), Géricault: dessins & estampes des collections de l'École des beaux-arts, 1997, 219 (illus.). no.E.7
Germain Bazin, Théodore Géricault: étude critique, documents et catalogue raisonné, Paris, 1987-1997, Vol.5, 75, 224 (illus.). no.1690
Galeries nationales du Grand Palais (France), Géricault, Paris, 1991, 405 (illus.). no.301, fig.370
Hugh Honour, The Image of the Black in Western art, vol.2, 1989, 30-31. fig.15
Lorenz Eitner, Géricault: his life and work, London, 1983, 153, 157. fig.143
Musée des beaux arts, Rouen (France), Géricault: tout l'oeuvre gravé et pièces en rapport, 1981, 34-35 (illus.). no.9
Loys Delteil, Le peintre-graveur illustré (XIXe et XXe siècles), Paris, 1906-1930, Vol.18, (illus.). no. 10
'Art as confrontation: The black man in the work of Géricault' by K. Berger and D.C. Johnson, The Massachusetts Review Spring 1969, Spring 1969. fig.2
'Barye's use of some of Géricault's drawings' by G.F. Benge, pg.23, The journal of the Walters Art Gallery 1968-1969, 1968-1969, 23. fig.15
'Le thème du nègre dans l’art de Géricault' by F.H. Lem, pg.26-27, L'arte Jan 1962-Jun 1962, Jan 1962-Jun 1962, 26-27.
Raymond Escholier (France, b.1882), La peinture française, XIXe siècle, Paris, 1941, Vol.1, 154. vol. 1, de David à Géricault
'Two exhibitions of sporting prints' by D. Stanton, Bulletin of the Art Institute of Chicago Sep 1939-Oct 1939, Sep 1939-Oct 1939, 77, 78 (illus.).
'Some recently acquired prints', Bulletin of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston Dec 1934, Dec 1934, 83, 84 (illus.).
Henri Focillon (France, b.1881, d.1943), La peinture au XIXe siècle. Le retour à l'antique. - Le romantisme., Paris, 1927, 190.
'Théodore Géricault' by Duc de Trévise, The Arts Oct 1927, Oct 1927, cover (illus.).
Charles Clément (France, b.1821, d.1887), Gèricault: ètude biographique et critique, avec le Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre du maître, 3rd edition, Paris, 1879, 374. no.9, reprint with preface and catalogue supplement by L. Eitner, New York, 1974
