François Gérard was a prominent painter during the Napoleonic Empire and the French Rejuvenation period, especially in portraits. Gerard made his mark with the Cupid and Psyche, a masterpiece of flawless beauty, establishing him as the foremost painter of the era and the third successive reign of the royal painter of France. His painting is therefore a portrait of the members of the royal court and the nobility. Gérard’s paintings are praised for their graceful, delicate beauty and incomparable. He is one of the most highly regard fine portraits in the Neoclassical era.

Practice with the master of the era

François Gerard was French but was born in Rome, Italy in 1770. Because his father worked at the French embassy there. His mother was Italian. Gerard began studying art with Augustin Pajou in Paris for about two years, then became a student of Jacques-Louis David, Master Master of Neoclassical Art, 1789 he compete for the Prix de Rome scholarship, where the winner was awarded a scholarship to study art in Rome. But he only took second place, losing to Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson. Friends with the same teacher, unfortunately the following year, he participated in another competition, but when his father died, he had to leave the race to travel to Rome with his mother.

François Gerard return to Paris in 1791. But due to poverty he had to give up his studies. And began working to survive at the age of 20, with David. Who was a teacher to help him as well. He help write and manage to have a residence and a painting studio at the Louvre until 1794. So he was successful for the first time. When he won the first prize in a painting competition that chronicles the French Revolution. On August 10, 1792, the siege of Tuileries Palace by the people, pictured titled The 10th of August, 1792.

A masterpiece creating a notorious reputation

But before Gerard became famous, it took many years to create his works.Since 1794, he began to paint portraits and gradually became more prominent, such as Jean-Baptist Isabey. , Miniaturist, with his Daughter in 1795, Portrait of GF Reverdin in 1796 and in 1797 he wrote a historical picture, which made him not less famous is Belisarius before in the following years he created the work. A masterpiece from the romantic fairy tale that made him the most famous.

Cupid and Psyche or Psyche Receiving Cupid’s First Kiss is a scene from the ancient Greek literature of The Golden Ass. Psyche is a princess with a more beautiful appearance. Even the god Venus was even jealous of sending Cupid or Cupid to prank Psyche to fall in love with the ugly man. But Cupid was stunned by Psyche’s beauty until the arrow in his hand stabbed himself. Cupid fell in love with Psyche with all his heart. When Psyche is bullied until the magic of sleep Cupid searches for Psyche until he finds it and has successfully restored Psyche. So a romantic kiss scene was born. François Gerard wrote this painting perfectly and perfectly. This work gained a reputation and led him to become a leading painter.

The best skill to paint portraits

In 1799, Gerard painted a portrait for Letizia Bonaparte, known as “Madame Mère,” Napoleon’s mother, who was active in politics after the French Revolution. Portrait of Madame Mère is Excellent workmanship, meticulous workmanship and free and personal composition of images perfectly complement the image of motherhood. This painting earned him one of the best portraits of his time. When the fame is famous, there are crowds. Leading figures and celebrities have gradually become models for Gerard to paint many of his own portraits. Among them, Juliette Récamier, European celebrity, Parisian and Madame Récamier, have become one of his masterpieces of one of the most beautiful portraits in history.

When Napoleon came to power as Emperor Napoleon I, Gerard became a court painter, painting for Napoleon and Empress Josephine. Including many important figures in the royal court. And in many political circles Many great works followed. Such as Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte, Portrait of the Empress Josephine and Portrait of Louise Antoinette Scholastique Guéhéneuc with her Children, among others. Some even say that his portraits are more refined than the work of his teacher.

Although Gerrard has become a master of the well-established portraits of people. But he also wanted to prove that he was not only good at portrait painting. He can do well in historical painting too. Although he has made quite a few paintings in this genre, all of his paintings reflect his unbeatable skill. Such as The Battle of Austerlitz, 2nd December 1805 and Entrée d’Henri IV à Paris, 22 Mars 1594. Very excellent work.

The royal painter of France, the 3rd reign

After Napoleon lost power, the French Bourbon dynasty was restore. Gerard was not attacked by political threats like Jacques-Louis David, a teacher who had to exile himself abroad. He was later appointed as a royal painter and served King Louis XVIII until the end of his reign. Gerard was named Baron by King Louis XVIII in 1819, so he was often referred to as Baron Gerard.When King Charles X succeeded King Louis XVIII, Gerrard was still a painter. The royal court continued again, making Gerrard a long three reigning royal painter of France for about 30 years.

In recent years, in addition to his usual portraits. Gerard has also had another great piece of work: Corinne at Cape Misenum based on fiction. And religious images in Teresa of Ávila, as well as the incomplete historical figures in the Fatherland under Threat. As after the 1830 revolution over the French royal family, Gerarda was saddened, frustrated and worried. He fell ill and died in 1837 at the age of 66.