General Étienne-Maurice Gérard (1773–1852)
Full-length portrait, oil on canvas • Jacques-Louis David
Style & Movement
Neoclassicism / Empire Style
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas employing Neoclassical precision, smooth glazing, and detailed linear draftmanship.
Creation Period
1816
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 197.2 x 136.2 cm (77 5/8 x 53 5/8 in.); Vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A full-length portrait of General Étienne-Maurice Gérard in his military uniform, standing on a checkered marble floor. He holds a bicorne hat and a sealed letter, positioned against a background featuring a red curtain, a stone plinth, and a distant landscape with a balustrade.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; typical of major museum holdings with a clean surface and stable paint film.
Estimated Market Value
$15,000,000 - $25,000,000 (estimation for a major late-period David masterpiece)
Auction Estimate
$12,000,000 - $20,000,000
Provenance History
Commissioned by the sitter; inherited by his heirs; acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1965 (Rogers Fund).
Art Historical Significance
A major late work by the leader of French Neoclassicism, painted during his exile in Brussels. It represents the transitions in French power and illustrates David's mastery of military portraiture and psychological realism.
Notable Features
Prominent signature and date on the plinth base: 'L. DAVID / 1816 / BRUX.' The painting is housed in a grand gilded period-style fluted frame.
Condition Issues
Minor fine-grid craquelure consistent with age; possible historical relining; no significant visible losses or abrasions.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain controlled museum environmental conditions (50% RH, 20°C); UV-filtered lighting; periodic professional surface inspection.