François Gerard (Rome, Italy, 1770 - Paris, France, 1837)

Born in Rome, to a French father and an Italian mother, in 1770, François Gerard lived most of his life in Paris, where he moved with his family in 1782.

He trained at the studio of the sculptor Augustin Pajou and, in 1786, he entered Jacques-Louis David's studio, where he began to rework ancient themes.

In 1798, he exhibited his artwork Love and Psyche at the Paris Salon, which was strongly reminiscent of Canova in its composition, but with an already neo-classical spirit. In these years he produced numerous portraits, including one of the Countess Regnault de Saint-Jean-d'Angély, now exhibited in the Louvre. 

In the early 19th century, some of his works were noticed by Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned several portraits from him, including one in coronation dress and portraits of Josephine Bonaparte, the Queen Mother and Murat.

After the fall of Napoleon, he became Louis XVIII's first painter, also obtaining several commissions from other European royals.

The artist died in Paris in 1837.

Photo UniCredit Group (Sebastiano Pellion di Persano)