Gerome and the use of Photography

Thinking - Drawing - Picture-making

Intelligent use of reference, i.e. not copying, wether done from a photo, computer program or from life. Reference meaning that which is referred to in order to produce your image, again not copied.

Presented here is the photo reference of a model and the study (#69- "Officier arnaute", 1857) of the same for the larger work #67- "Recrues egyptiennes traversant le desert" of 1857.





Key changes made by Gerome in order to enhance the character and convey the action.

1- An extra half-head length was added changing him from a 6 3/4 to 7 1/4 head figure. Making him more heroic and less squat.

2- Negative shape was added to accentuate the position and narrowness of the hips, better defining the contour of the body. For similar reasons a negative shape was added near the neck/head. The lack of cloth there both thins the head and better defines the form. It should be noted a different headdress and some other minor garment changes were made, probably modeled on a dummy in the studio or possibly based on another shot from the photo-shoot.

3- The barrel of the gun is extended, allowing the arm to extend to a more elegant angle. The angle of the gun is also slightly changed to echo the new tilt of the shoulders, subtly adding to the movement of the figure.

4- The cleverest alteration is the change in direction of the folds of the skirt. They now echo and therefore imply the form of the leg beneath, and give the feeling of forward movement.

This study also shows Gerome's technique:

1- A careful drawing that is transfered and inked.

2- A color wash-in (thin layer of color applied with turpentine and perhaps some oil or resin).

3- Parts are rendered to a finish or near finish. Only parts of the main figure have been painted over the color wash-in.

4- What needs touching up is finished.




#359- "Scene de chasse dans la foret de Meudon", 1889



* the numbers preceding titles denote the catalogue raisonne entry

For a cursory look at the importance of photographs on the work of Gerome pupils and others I would recommend the book "Beyond Impressionism: The Naturalist Impulse in European Art 1870-1905" by Gabriel p. Weisberg.

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Gerome's Atelier