Biography

Gérard became Napoleon's favourite portrait painter, but also established a reputation as a fine history painter. He managed to maintain favour during the Revolution, the First Empire and the Restoration of the Monarchy and was created a baron by Louis XVIII. Gérard was born in Rome, but trained in Paris in the studio of the eminent neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David. His success brought him a large busy studio and a team of assistants which facilitated the production of many consistently charming and elegant works.