Sometimes artistic talent goes beyond words . . .
Self Portrait
Anne-Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson, 1767 – 1824, was a French painter and pupil of Jacques-Louis David, who was part of the beginning of the Romantic movement by adding elements of eroticism through his paintings. Girodet is remembered for his precise and clear style and for his paintings of members of the Napoleonic family.
Girodet started in school by studying architecture and pursuing a military career. He later changed to the study of painting under a painter named Luquin, before entering the school of David. From 1789 to 1793 he lived in Italy where, at the age of twenty-two, he successfully competed for the Prix de Rome thus making a name for himself for his painting of the Story of Joseph and his Brethren. At Rome he painted his Hippocrate refusant les presents d’Artaxerxes and Endymion-dormant (presently held in the Louvre), work which was praised at the Salon of 1793.
Back in France, Girodet painted many portraits, including some of the members of the Napoléon family. In 1806, he exhibited “Scène de déluge” (Louvre), to which (in competition with the “Sabines” of David) was awarded the decennial prize. This success was followed up in 1808 by the production of the “Reddition de Vienne” and “Atala au Tombeau” a work which went far to deserve its immense popularity, by a happy choice of subject, and remarkable freedom from the theatricality of Girodet’s usual manner, which, however, soon returned again in his “La Révolte du Caire” (1810). Girodet was a member of the Academy of Painting and of the Institute of France; a knight of the order of St. Michael, and officer of the Legion of Honor.
Girodet produced a vast quantity of illustrations, amongst which may be cited those for the Didot Virgil (1798) and for the Louvre Racine (1801-1805).
The peculiarities which mark Girodet’s position as the herald of the romantic movement are already evident in his “Endymion.” He has a decided inclination to the ancient style, and the fullness of statuary is very perceptible in his works, but they are also distinguished for life, nature and beauty. His drawing is correct, and of great precision; his coloring is rich, transparent and harmonious. He works with equal care and genius. He loves to produce effect by strong lights but they are in unison with the spirit of the pieces.
Girodet died on December 9 in Paris. A sale of his effects was made after his death, and some of his drawings realized enormous prices.
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