Francois Gerard was born in Rome in 1770 of a French father in the service of the Ambassador of France and an Italian mother. At the age of twelve he was brought to Paris. He first studied under Pajou, the sculptor, then under Brenet and finally, in 1786, he entered David's studio and became his favorite pupil. In 1789 he took Second prize for the Prix de Rome. After the death of his father in 1790 he returned to Rome but soon returned again to Paris, where he devoted himself to art avoiding revolutionary politics. Poverty compelled him to make illustrations for publishers at this time. David helped him to obtain a commission to illustrate editions of the works of Virgil and Racine.

He made an extraordinary marriage. His wife was his...