Gericault subject of art programme

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33934, 29 August 1975, Page 4

Gericault subject of art programme

Theodore Gericault (17911824) is the subject of Sunday’s programme in the series “Romantic versus Classic Art.”

A Frenchman, he exerted considerable influence on the development of Romantic French art. He was a colourful personality, fashionable gentleman and keen horseman and his paintings ranged from large, dramatic canvases to sporting subjects and compassionate portraits of the insane. Gericault developed a re-: markable ability for portray-! ing animal movement and ! mastered Classicist figure! construction and composition. While he was recognised from the start as a great painter, many of his paintings shocked critics. In particular, his painting “Raft of the Medusa”; created a social and artistic! furore. His portrayal of! death in this painting! marked the beginning of the! struggle between Neoclassical and Romantic art.

Disappointed by the un-! favourable reception . “Raft! of the Medusa” received, he

the modern Guitar. VillaLobos: Guitar Concerto; Blake-Watkins. Clouds and Eclipses. Berkeley. Concertino. 9.45: Rossini: Duos. 10.0: Mahler: Three songs from Youth’s magic horn. Two Ruckert Leider. 10.26: Milhaud: Le Printemps, 1917. Serenade 1921. Le Cheinee du Roi Rene 1939. 11.0: 8.8. C. News 11.14: Grautn: Trio in F. 12.0: Cricket: England v Australia — 4th Test. 3ZB CHRISTCHURCH (1100 kHz) 12 noon: Les Hyland. 4: p.m.: Selwyn Jones. 7.30:; Alan Gaskell: Buy, Sell and: Exchange. 8.30: Friday’ Extra. 9.0: Track Talk. 3ZM, CHRISTCHURCH (1400 kHz) 6.0 a.m.: Music — Community and service information. Dedications and Contests. 3XA, RADIO AVON (1290 kHz) 12 noon: Mike Richardson. 4.0 p.m.: Murray Inglis. 7.0: Lee Hanner. 10.0: Wayne Hunt.

returned to sporting subjects, specialising in horses and jockeys. Also among his later works was a series of five portraits of the insane. Ironically, his brief, stormy career was ended by a fall from a horse.