The Raft Of The Medusa

This narrative painting is structurally based on Gericault’s The Raft Of The Medusa.

Exhibited at the Society of Women Artists’ annual open exhibition 2025.

Painted from a wide variety of references, including art historical paintings by Sirani, Kollwitz, Demont-Breton, and Rego, commissioned poses by professional life models, poses by friends and family, and a self portrait in the middle.

I recorded the process in stages, available as a playlist on my YouTube channel:

Here are a few elements from the process, including some references. Please watch the YouTube videos for more complete information.

Gericault preliminary sketch

Gericault Raft Of The Medusa

My preliminary sketch

Gail Raft Of The Medusa

Gail mockup model

Underpainting (burnt umber)

Anna Davey-Mitchell modelling

Izzi and Leon modelling

Quilt reference

Sirani Timoclea reference

Integrating Timoclea

integrating dancers

Käthe Kollwitz reference

AI generated reference

The Raft Of The Medusa

Judgement - self portrait

Dr Isabel Laurence