Explain how Gericault’s Raft of the Medusa exemplifies Romanticism.

In my mind, the most overwhelming element of Romanticism
in Gericault's work is its depiction of the natural setting.  Consistent with the
Romantic idea that nature possesses its own power that exists outside the realm of
humanity, the natural elements are shown as powerful and beyond individual control,
leaving only mortality grasping at its coattails.  The rise of the waves are brought
together with their crashing on the vessel.  The clouds and overcast skies are
contrasted with the sun and the clearing of skies, reflecting how nature is capable of
great benevolence along with intense destruction.  The expression of the people in the
portrait are both consistent with the disaster in French History that Gericault chose,
but also reflective of how individuals are at nature's mercy.  This Romantic reverence
of nature is also representative of the idea that humans are secondary to the natural
setting, confirmed in the fact that nature occupies a greater presence in the pictures
than the flailing humans. Gericault shows both the natural setting and consciousness, in
general, as something that exists outside the control of human beings. I think that an
interesting Romantic element in terms of the role of the artist is that Gericault has
chosen an event of human tragedy as the subject of the portrait.  In doing so, he
accomplished a very Romantic view of the artist as one able to bring out the beauty in
the most horrific of situations.  The Romantic conception of the artist is one who is
able "to see into the life of things," and find beauty in both the redemptive and
despairing of human situations.  For the Romantic artist, there is beauty and wonderment
everywhere, and the artist should not be afraid to seize upon exploring this
condition.