Answer
Shipwreck is the central theme of "The Raft of the Medusa." The painting depicts the aftermath of a tragic shipwreck, where survivors are stranded on a raft at sea. The composition emphasizes the desperation and suffering of the individuals, as they face starvation, dehydration, and the threat of cannibalism. The painting serves as a poignant commentary on the fragility of human life and the horrors that can arise from disaster.