Théodore GERICAULT (1791-1824) Bulldog head, circa 1818-1820 Oil on canvas, (lining 1970-1980). Verso: Old inscriptions, in black ink, upper left, on a stretcher probably dating from the mid-19th century: "C. M. MATHIEU". 24, 2 x 32, 2 cm Provenance: "Tableaux/ Géricault (Théodore)/ - Tête de chien/ Belle étude" (Catalogue de tableaux anciens et modernes, dessins et aquarelles [...] provenant de la collection de feu M. Mathieu, E. Girard, commissaire-priseur, Féral, peintre-expert, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, room no. 7, Monday December 11, 1876, no. 5). Paris, Edmond Courty collection (1896-1972). Paris private collection. Sometimes aggressive, sometimes loving, the figure of the dog plays an important role in Théodore Géricault's work. In this powerful image, the painter depicts a bulldog's head, whose vitality is amplified by a creamy treatment of the material. The blaze of warm, powerful colors recalls Géricault's place among the French Romantics, who were fervent advocates of the use of color as the surest means of exacerbating feelings. We know of several studies of bulldog heads, including one in the Musée du Louvre in Paris (inv. RF 212), whose treatment is very similar to our own. We would like to thank Mr. Bruno Chenique for confirming the authenticity of our work after a visual examination, which will be included in the catalog raisonné currently being prepared on the artist.