Caricature of a Man Wearing a Broad-Brimmed Hat 1818 - 1819

Théodore Géricault created this quick pencil sketch, Caricature of a Man Wearing a Broad-Brimmed Hat, in the early 19th century. Géricault lived through a time of significant social upheaval following the French Revolution, as class tensions and new social identities emerged. This drawing, though small, hints at the changing representations of men in art. Rather than portraying idealized or heroic figures, Géricault captures a more candid and perhaps critical view of an ordinary man. The broad-brimmed hat could indicate a specific social class or profession, subtly commenting on the wearer’s identity. The sketch's simplicity invites us to consider the subtle ways in which artists like Géricault began to observe and represent everyday people, reflecting and shaping broader societal perceptions. It encapsulates the emotional and social shifts of a society in transition.