Portrait of Josephine

portrait

One of the most fashionable portraitists of the Napoleonic era, Gérard had a fine feeling for artistic trends. Here he successfully combines a refined classical composition, the imperial taste, and a light palette. Gérard worked as a decorator at Malmaison, among other places, and this painting depicts Josephine Beauharnais, the mistress of the chteau and wife of the future French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte.

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About the Artist

François Gérard

1770 – 1837

French painter, born in Rome, a favourite pupil of Jacques-Louis David. In the Salon of 1796 he won acclaim with his portrait of Jean-Baptiste Isabey and his Daughter (Louvre, Paris) and became the most sought after court and society portraitist of his day. He successfully negotiated the various political changes of the day and was made a Baron and a member of the Legion of Honour. In addition to portraits Gérard painted historical and mythological works. His style derived from David, but was much less taut and heroic, tending at times towards a rather mannered gracefulness.

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