The Palace and Park: Its Natural History, and Its Portrait Gallery, Together with a Description of the Pompeian CourtLatham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)
History
The Palace and Park: Its Natural History, and Its Portrait Gallery, Together with a Description of the Pompeian Court
Latham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)
Crystal Palace (Sydenham, London, England)
[From a marble in the Louvre, by Pradier.]
211. GIRODET-TRIOSON. _Painter._
[Born at Montargis, in France, 1767. Died in Paris, 1824. Aged 57.]
The real name of this artist was Anne-Louis Girodet de Coussy; but he
took the name of Trioson from his adopted father and benefactor, a
physician, to whom he was indebted for his education. He was the son of
the Duke of Orleans’ steward, and intended for the army, but evincing a
great taste for painting, was placed in the studio of David. Afterwards
proceeding to Rome, he received the first prize for a work of art in
that city. At the end of five years returned to Paris, where an
apartment was assigned him in the Louvre. In 1806, he gained a prize by
his picture of “The Deluge,” competing with his old master, David.
Girodet did not produce many works, habitual ill-health disabling his
pencil; but he left enough behind him to maintain his reputation. His
chief pictures are “Endymion,” “Hippocrates,” “The Revolt in Cairo,” and
“Napoleon Receiving the Keys of Vienna.” The colouring of Girodet is
cold and earthy; and his figures, whilst revealing the classic form and
correct drawing that characterize the labours of all David’s pupils,
lose the expression of inward life. In spite of obvious deficiencies in
truthful representation, his paintings produce a deep, and occasionally
a powerful impression.
[From a marble in the Louvre--the author unknown. One by M. Roman was
in the French Exhibition of 1827.]
212. FRANÇOIS GÉRARD. _Painter._
[Born at Rome, 1770. Died in Paris, 1837. Aged 67.]
Studied under Pajou the sculptor, then with Brenet, and finally with
David, whom he assisted in several works, until 1794, when he exhibited
his own picture of “The Tenth of August” (the day of the storming of the
Tuileries in 1792). Under the influence of David, Gérard became one of
the jury of the Revolutionary Tribunal--an office from which he
subsequently shrunk. He received great honour and distinction at the
hands of Napoleon; and the Emperor Alexander, and the Duke of
Wellington, became his friends. A man of extensive knowledge, and, as a
painter, to be recommended for taste and refinement, rather than for
invention or sublimity. His colouring, though harmonious, is not always
true. His subjects were chiefly historical, and in these the arrangement
of the figures and the selection of costume are always pleasing. He was
also successful as a portrait painter.
[From a marble in the Louvre, by Pradier, 1838.]
213. ANTOINE JEAN GROS. _Painter._
[Born in Paris, 1771. Died there, 1835. Aged 64.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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