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Representations of insanity in the art of Francisco Goya and Théodore Géricault

Cvetkovska, Kirila
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Abstract
The subject of madness was one of a controversial nature during the 18* and 19 centuries, revealing many social concerns, from control of the poor and the economic stability to a reflection of sensitive political environment. The established “houses of confinement” gathered various social prototypes under one roof: from poor people and convicts, to criminals and mentally ill individuals. During these periods, there were two main approaches to the issue of lunacy: medicine observed the madmen as curable objects, while philosophy and art looked on the insane as particular genius individuals with great imagination. Thus, the image of madness for the modem world had contrasting conceptions, which influenced the artists’ depictions and their own stances towards the th Pin insane. With regard to the issues discussed above, my thesis is going to analyze how the two particular artists, Francisco Goya and Theodore Gericault dwelled upon the issue of madness through their diverse artistic approaches. By comparing specific art works such as Goya’s Yard with Lunatics and Gericault’s Portraits of the Insane^ I will trace down the realistic, sympathetic and romanticized depictions respectively, as well as the artists’ perception of the insane. On the other hand, I will also integrate the society’s insight in this particular issue, embodying the social history of this period and the contemporary assumptions of psychiatry. Thus, a direct contrast between the artist, the society and the medical practices will be imposed, demonstrating the painters’ juxtaposition of realistic and romanticized representations, as well as incorporating my own interpretation.
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Thesis (B.A. in Art History, Minor in Psychology)--John Cabot University, Spring 2013.
Date
2013
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Keywords
Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828, Géricault, Théodore, 1791-1824, Art and society, Mental illness in art
Citation
Cvetkovska, Kirila. "Representations of insanity in the art of Francisco Goya and Théodore Géricault". BA Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. 2013
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