Théodore Géricault

Géricault's curiosity about people of diverse geographical origins is reflected in his embrace of Mustapha Sussen, likely a Tunisian Arab (although often described as a Turkish sailor) who Gericault encountered on the streets of Paris. He was purportedly part of a group of shipwreck victims. Gericault hired him as his manservant in 1817. The demand for Arab models in Paris meant that Mustapha was depicted by Anne-Louis Girodet, Carle Vernet, and Gericault in 1818-19. He remained in Gericault's household until around 1821 and later established a Turkish-style confectionary business in Paris. While in the artist's household, Mustapha sat for several drawings, most notably a watercolor now in the Louvre (RF 31700) and a painted portrait (Musée des beaux-arts et archéologie, Besançon, 886.3.4) in traditional dress.
This full-length depiction of Mustapha was part of a group of costumed studies owned by the artist's friend, the German-born painter Louis-Auguste de Schwiter (1805-1889), who would soon befriend and be portrayed by Delacroix in 1826.