Jean-Leon Gerome

Painter, Sculptor
France, Orientalism
born11 May 1824 - died 1904

French painter, was born on the 11th of May 1824 at Vesoul (Haute-SaOne). He went to Paris in 1841 and worked under

Paul Delaroche, whom he accompanied to Italy (1844—1845). On his return he exhibited The Cock-fight, which gained him a third-class medal in the Salon of 1847. The Virgin with Christ and St John and Anacreon, Bacchus and Cupid took a second-class medal in 1848. He exhibited Bacchus and Love, Drunk, a Greek Interior and Souvenir d’Italie, in 1851; Paestum (1852); and An Idyll (1853).

In 1854 Gérôme made a journey to Turkey and the shores of the Danube, and in 1857 visited Egypt. To the exhibition of 1855 he contributed a Pifferaro, A Shepherd, A Russian Concert and a large historical canvas, The Age of Augustus and the Birth of Christ. The last was somewhat confused in effect, but in recognition of its consummate ability the State purchased it. Gérôme’s reputation was greatly enhanced at the Salon of 1857 by a collection of works of a more popular kind: the Duel: after a Masquerade, Egyptian Recruits crossing the Desert, Memnon and Sesostris and Camels Watering, the drawing of which was criticized byEdmond About.

 Phryne before the Areopagus, Le Roi Candaule and Socrates finding Alcibiades in the House of Aspasia (1861) gave rise to some scandal by reason of the subjects selected by the painter, and brought down on him the bitter attacks of

Paul de Saint-Victor and Maxime Ducamps. At the same Salon he exhibited the Egyptian chopping Straw, and Rembrandt biting an Etching, two very minutely finished works. Gérôme’s best paintings are of Eastern subjects; among these may be named the Turkish Prisoner and Turkish Butcher (1863); Prayer (1865); The Slave Market (1867); and The Harem out Driving (1869). He often illustrated history, as in Louis XIV. and Moliere (1863); The Reception of the Siamese Ambassadors at Fontainebleau (1865); and The Death of Marshal Ney (1868).

Gérôme was also successful as a sculptor; he executed, among other works; Omphale (1887), and the statue of the due d’Aumale which stands in front of the chateau ofChantilly (1899). His Bellona (1892), in ivory, metal, and precious stones, which was also exhibited in the Royal Academy of London, attracted great attention. The artist then began an interesting series of Conquerors, wrought in gold, silver and gems — Bonaparte entering Cairo (1897); Tamerlane (1898) and Frederick the Great (1899). Gérôme was elected member of the Institut in 1865. He died in 1904.

ArtWorks:

Self Portrait

1886
Oil on canvas
15.98 x 12.01 inches / 40.6 x 30.5 cm
AberdeenArt Gallery, Aberdeen, Scotland
Signed, left center

The Standard Bearer

Alternative title:Unfolding the Holy Flag.

1876
Oil on canvas
23.74 x 19.13 inches / 60.3 x 48.6 cm
Private collection
Signed lower right on wall

Public Prayer in the mosque of Amr, Cario

1870
Oil on canvas
35.04 x 29.53 inches / 89 x 75 cm
Private collection
Signed upper left on beam

Pelt Merchant of Cario

1869
Oil on canvas
24.21 x 19.69 inches / 61.5 x 50 cm
Private collection
Signed, upper right

Sais and His Donkey

c.1898
Oil on canvas
28.50 x 23.62 inches / 72.4 x 60 cm
Syracuse University Art Collection, Syracuse, New York, USA
Signed, lower right

The Carpet Merchant

Alternative title:The Rug Market in Cairo.

1887
Oil on canvas
32.87 x 25.47 inches / 83.5 x 64.7 cm
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, USA
Signed, lower right corner

A Chat by the Fireside

1881
Oil on canvas
18.27 x 14.96 inches / 46.4 x 38 cm
Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Kansas, USA
Signed, left center

A Japanese Imploring a Divinity

1880
Oil on canvas
27.99 x 23.27 inches / 71.1 x 59.1 cm
Private collection

Taken From:

http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/art.asp?aid=9&page=4