early life and background François Pascal Simon Gérard, a prominent french painter, was born in rome in 1770. his father held a post in the house of the french ambassador, while his mother was italian. this diverse background likely influenced gérard's artistic style, which would later be characterized by its blend of french and italian elements. He studied first under the sculptor Augustin Pajou and later with the painter Nicolas-Guy Brenet, and, from 1786, with Jacques-Louis David, whose assistant he became after 1791. In 1793, at David’s request, he was named a member of the French Revolut…