The Interior of David’s Studio at the Collège des Quatre-Nations, Paris
Artist: Léon-Mathieu Cochereau (French, 1793-1817)
Date: 1814-1817
Dimensions:
H: 34 1/4 in. (87 cm); W: 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of The Georgia Welles Apollo Society
Object number: 1995.8
Label Text:A glimpse into the Paris studio of the famous painter Jacques-Louis David (see his Oath of the Horatii), this image shows 11 young men earnestly engaged in a life drawing and painting class. David stressed the importance of mastering drawing—his students, including the artist of this canvas, Léon-Mathieu Cochereau, spent up to six hours a day sketching a live model.
Because David had supported the French Revolution of 1789, he had to retire from public life when the monarchy was restored in 1814. To avoid touchy political issues, Cochereau did not include the figure of David when he painted an image of his master’s studio for exhibition at the 1814 Paris Salon. Instead, he suggested David’s presence with the draped easel prominently placed before the window.
Cochereau (who may be the student seated farthest to the right) was only 24 when he died at sea while on his way to Palestine. Consequently, he left few works behind. Two other versions of his Interior of David’s Studio are known, one in the Louvre, Paris, the other in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Because David had supported the French Revolution of 1789, he had to retire from public life when the monarchy was restored in 1814. To avoid touchy political issues, Cochereau did not include the figure of David when he painted an image of his master’s studio for exhibition at the 1814 Paris Salon. Instead, he suggested David’s presence with the draped easel prominently placed before the window.
Cochereau (who may be the student seated farthest to the right) was only 24 when he died at sea while on his way to Palestine. Consequently, he left few works behind. Two other versions of his Interior of David’s Studio are known, one in the Louvre, Paris, the other in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
On view
In Collection(s)