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.
1864–1904
The most “riotous” studio of the École
According to John Milner, who studied with Gérôme, his atelier was the most “riotous” and “lewd” of all the studios at the École: newcomers were put through bizarre initiation rites — slashing each other’s canvases, being thrown down stairs, out of windows and onto upturned stools, and fencing on the model’s dais, nude and with paintbrushes loaded with paint.
1879–1889
Journeys through the East and Europe with his students
He travelled a great deal and took students along, most of whom he was on warm terms with: in 1879 he visited Turkey, in 1880 Egypt, in 1881 Greece, in 1888 England and in 1889 Italy.
1889–1890
Influenza during the Paris epidemic
In 1889–1890 an influenza epidemic raged in Paris and the artist fell victim to it; even American newspapers reported on his health, since he was extremely popular in the United States. He recovered and declared that he would like to die at work.
1891
His son Jean dies
In 1891 Gérôme’s son Jean, who had shown artistic inclinations, died of consumption at the age of twenty-seven; in his memory the artist made the statue “Grief” (La Douleur).