Consummatum est

1864–1904

The studio everyone wanted to join

Places in Gérôme’s atelier were limited and keenly sought: only the best students were admitted. Students progressed from drawing after antique works and casts to drawing from the live model and only then were allowed to paint in oils; he attended every Wednesday and Saturday and was known as a severe critic, but helped his students outside the school too, inviting them to his own studio and recommending them to the Salon.

1865

Elected to the Institut de France at the fifth attempt

Gérôme was elected to the Institut de France on his fifth attempt; in these years his influence became extensive and he was a regular guest of Empress Eugénie at the court in Compiègne.

1865

An official painting of the Siamese embassy

The Siamese ambassadors were presented to Napoleon III in the summer of 1861, and Gérôme received a commission for an official canvas for Versailles. Once at work he found he had to depict some 80 real people, which came hard because of his dislike of portraiture; the picture was shown at the Salon of 1865.

1867

The World’s Fair: twelve canvases and “The Death of Caesar”

At the 1867 World’s Fair Gérôme showed twelve canvases in the French pavilion; “The Death of Caesar” stood out, once again drawing immoderate praise from Gautier. That same year he was promoted to officer of the Legion of Honour.

1868

“The Execution of Marshal Ney”: asked to withdraw the picture