The following text was written and submitted by Jean Ershler Schatz, artist and researcher from Laguna Woods, California:

Theodore Gericault was born in Rouen on September 26,1791. From his youth, he showed a taste for drawing and for horses. He was educated at the Lycee Louis-le-Grand. He studied under Carle Vernet, in whose studio he met an elegant, witty and wordly group gathered around the master. Two years later, he left to study in the studio of Guerin; he was strongly influenced as well by the work of Rubens.

The Salon of 1812 exhibited a painting and his reputation was immediately established. In 1816 his visit to Italy left a profound effect on his work, particularly in separating him fr...