François Gérard (1770 -1837) was a neoclassical painter who first studied under the sculptor Augustine Pajou and with Jacques-Louis David. Gerard became David’s assistant after 1791. He is best known for his portraits of many people including the celebrated European personalities. In the course of his work he dealt with many artists. Gerard was therefore influenced by his proximity to some of the great artists of his century. He was no mean painter. His paintings covered many different themes, and all were painted on high quality art stock which makes them quite ideal for framing. His inspiring paintings reach out to the heart and soul of every viewer. He had great eyes and extra brains, and was well-versed and extraordinary. The revolutionaries favored Gerard and he was also acclaimed by Napoleon I so he executed portraits like “Josephine Bonaparte,” and historical pieces like “Battle of Austerlitz.” After Napoleon’s fall Gerard was engaged by Louis XVIII to be a court painter. In 1793, he was named a member of the French Revolutionary Tribunal, on the recommendation of Jacques-Louis David.
Gérard and David’s paintings were closely related in their highly finished surfaces, cool classicism, intellectualism, and sculptural definition of form. Gérard’s works are, however, generally considered to be more elegant than David’s, more so his portraits. Today, several of his pieces are in high demand especially the framed ready to mount François Gérard art. His art can be found in several galleries and collections all over the world, and they can be seen on the walls of many public and private institutions.