Ary Sheffer French historical and genre painter. Country: France

Ary Scheffer - a French historical and genre painter

Ary Scheffer was a renowned French historical and genre painter. He was born into a family of artists, with his father, Johann Baptist Scheffer, and his mother, Cornelia Scheffer, both being successful painters. From a young age, Ary showed a talent for drawing and painting, and at the age of fifteen, he created a portrait that was accepted into the Amsterdam Art Exhibition.

After the death of his father, Scheffer and his mother moved to Paris in 1811. He became a student of Pierre-Narcisse Guérin, a prominent French painter, and quickly developed his skills. Within a few years, Scheffer was able to participate in the prestigious Louvre Salons, showcasing his talent to a wider audience.

During the early years of his career, Scheffer primarily painted in the academic style of Guérin and other French painters of the time. However, he also incorporated elements of romanticism, sentimentality, and dreaminess into his portrayals of sacred and historical subjects. Some of his notable works during this period include "The Death of Louis IX" and "Socrates Defending Alcibiades in the Battle of Potidaea".

In 1829, Scheffer traveled to the Netherlands to study the works of old masters, particularly Rembrandt. This trip marked the beginning of a new phase in his artistic career. Influenced by Rembrandt, as well as Italian and German painters, Scheffer shifted towards a more romantic style. He drew inspiration from biblical stories and literary works by poets such as Goethe, Schiller, Byron, and Dante.

During this period, Scheffer created paintings such as "Christ the Consoler", "Christ Among the Children", and scenes from Goethe's "Faust". His works were characterized by their emotional depth and a combination of techniques inspired by Rembrandt and the Italian and German masters.

In the latter part of his career, starting from 1846, Scheffer focused primarily on religious subjects. He aimed to evoke moral and ethical ideas through his compositions rather than strict adherence to historical accuracy. Some of his notable works during this time include "Jacob and Rachel", "Ruth and Naomi", and "Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane". He also created allegorical paintings such as "Virtue and Vice, or Heavenly and Earthly Love" and "The Moans of the Earth Turning into Hopes and Happiness".

Scheffer's works were highly regarded during his lifetime and for some time after his death. However, as artistic tastes and aesthetics changed over the years, he gradually faded from the pedestal of fame he once occupied. Nevertheless, Ary Scheffer's sentimental and dreamlike style, along with his undeniable technical skill, cemented his place in the history of French art.