The Storm, or The Shipwreck 

Théodore Géricault created The Storm, or The Shipwreck, with oil paints on canvas. In this tempestuous scene, Géricault's application of paint mirrors the roiling waves and tumultuous skies. Notice how he’s used thick, layered brushstrokes to build texture, almost as if he were sculpting the scene, rather than simply depicting it. The very materiality of the paint lends a visceral quality to the shipwreck, evoking the harshness of the sea and the struggle for survival. Consider the sheer physical labor involved in producing a painting of this scale, from grinding pigments to stretching the canvas. Though we may not think of painting as ‘labor’ in the same way as shipbuilding or seafaring, it too involves skilled craftsmanship and intensive effort. By emphasizing these physical aspects, we can appreciate how Géricault transforms paint into a powerful expression of human resilience amidst the indifference of nature. It encourages us to recognize the work and social context embedded within the artwork's creation.