Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824-1904) was a painter and sculptor. He taught for many years at the School of Fine Arts in Paris. His style reflected the admired Academic virtues, which were opposed to the Impressionism of the same period. He was often inspired by scenes of the Middle East, which had been popular ever since Ingres (The Grand Odalisque, 1814). During his lifetime, Gérôme was considered one of France’s most important artists.
