A story of nepotism and Romanticism in 19th century France

During Napoleon Bonaparte's reign, he became well-known for the Napoleonic Wars, a series of seven military conflicts.

Following the Mauritius campaign from 1809-1811, a naval vessel ran aground on the Bank of Arguin off the coast of Mauritania, sparking a political scandal that later inspired one of the most famous Romantic artworks.

The Medusa (La Méduse), a Pallas-class frigate of the French navy, embarked on its final voyage in 1816. Its mission was to transport French officials to the port of Saint-Louis, Senegal, to formally re-establish the colony after the Napoleonic Wars ended. Onboard were 400 people, including 160 crew members and the new Governor of the colony, Colonel Julien-Désiré Schmaltz, along with his wife.

By Jean-Jérôme Baugean - Relation complète du naufrage de la frégate La Méduse faisant partie de l'expédition du Sénégal en 1816, by A. Correard, H. Savigny, D'Anglas de Praviel and Paul C.L. Alexandre Rand des Adrets (dit Sander Rang). Reprint 1968 by Jean de Bonnot éditeur., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19330266

The frigate was under the command of Hugues Duroy de Chaumareys, a naval officer and an aristocrat, who was appointed as captain by the newly restored Bourbon King Louis XVIII by virtue of his status and connections and not by merit. When he took over the command of the Medusa, Monsieur de Chaumareys had hardly sailed in 20 years.  

The Governor wished to reach Senegal quickly, so the frigate separated from its convoy and ventured along the African coast – an unfamiliar territory to the Commander. On July 2, 1816, the Medusa struck the Bank of Arguin off present-day Mauritania and became stuck in the mud at the peak of the spring tide.

To reach the coast, they decided to construct a 20-meter-long raft to be towed by the boats. The raft was overcrowded with 146 people, while others remained in the boats, and 17 stayed on the ship. When towing the raft proved impossible, it was cut loose by the boats carrying the Captain and the Governor. The boats reached the Senegalese coast, but the raft drifted in the open ocean. Most of its occupants died from exposure, thirst, or starvation, with some being washed overboard during storms. As supplies dwindled, the injured were thrown into the sea, and some survivors resorted to cannibalism.

On the 13th day, the raft was discovered by the brig Argus, part of the Medusa’s convoy, with 30 survivors, who were then taken to Port-Louis, Senegal. Five of them died upon arrival. When Captain Chaumareys returned to the wreck, he found three more survivors, including the ship’s surgeon, who sent an official report to the French authorities. The report was leaked to the press, causing a massive political scandal. The surgeon, along with another survivor, published an account of the ordeal that reached a wide audience and was translated into many languages. Due to his evident incompetence, Captain Chaumareys was sentenced to three years in prison. This notorious case of nepotism led to the introduction of regulations for French military appointments, ensuring promotions were based on merit and competence.

The story captivated young artist Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault (known as Théodore Géricault), inspiring him to create what would be know today as one of the most famous paintings of the Romantic movement, "The Raft of the Medusa."

Théodore Géricault - “The raft of the Medusa” (1818-1819), Louvre Museum

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17456087

Géricault thoroughly researched the incident, interviewed two survivors, visited morgues to study the textures and colors of human corpses, and created numerous sketches. He even constructed a replica of the raft.

The painting depicts the desperate survivors on the raft as they spot a ship that fails to see them. First exhibited in 1819 at the Paris Salon, the painting was both admired and criticized for its controversial nature. Created shortly after the defeat at Waterloo, it was seen as a commentary on the military establishment’s decline following Napoleon’s fall.

"The Raft of the Medusa" is celebrated for being intensely dramatic, and evoking vivid emotion with its dynamic composition, all hallmarks of Romanticism. Géricault's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to convey raw human suffering and hope exemplify the Romantic emphasis on emotion and individual experience. The painting marked a transition from Neoclassical to Romantic art and is now considered a cornerstone of the Romantic movement.

The Louvre acquired it in 1824, where it remains one of its most famous exhibits.