Théodore Gérard (Belgian, 1829-1895)

Oil on canvas, signed.

Born into a family of painters, Gérard studied under Canneel and Vanderplaesten at the Academy of Fine Art in Gent. After first producing copies of Old Master paintings for Paul Flit, he moved to Brussels where he undertook similar work for Plaspéra.

His travels throughout in Germany, northern Switzerland and Austria greatly influenced his work. His style came to reflected the Düsseldorf masters, Knaus and Wautier, while his subject matter owed a debt to the Austrian painter DeFreger. In 1859, he had his first solo exhibition in Strasbourg, thus beginning 36 years of artistic success. Known for his genre scenes, he exhibited throughout Europe winning gold medals in London, Vienna, Brussels and Alger. The highest honor he was awarded was the Knight of the Order of Leopold.

His work is held in the permanent collections of many museums including those in in Antwerp, Gent and Brussels in Belgium, as well as in Sydney, Australia, and Hull, England.

Gérard is listed in the Lexicon of the Belgian Romantic Painters by Flippo and Le Dictionnaire des Peintres Belges du XIVe siècle à nos jours.