The artist studied corpses and interviewed survivors before finishing this painting in 1819, a year after an incident off the West African coast inspired this work.  
The year after it was finished the artist took this painting on a tour of England.  A little bright color is provided by the red cloth worn by the pensive figure modeled on Michelangelo and seated on the left side.  Two pyramidal structures are formed, first by the two figures waving flags on the top right and second by the title object itself.  The artist studied corpses and interviewed survivors before finishing this painting in 1819, a year after an incident off the West African coast inspired this work.  FTP, name this painting depicting the survivors of a French government ship, the masterwork of Theodore Gericault.
The year after it was finished the artist took this painting on a tour of England.  
The Raft of the "Medusa"