Jean-Rodolphe Gautier
Place Born
GenevaPlace Died
ParisBio
Geneva born, the young Gautier was first apprenticed to the painter-enameler J.F. Favre in 1784 but showed a preference for painting in oils and determined to broaden his horizons. Like so many Geneva painters the primary influence upon his art was French, and following the example of so many French painters before him he left for Rome, where he was firmly established by 1789. In that year he sent home three Italian views for exhibition in Geneva but after four more years in Rome left for Paris in 1793, where he remained until his death. By the time Gautier had arrived in Rome, Valenciennes had already left, but like Valenciennes he was ready to look for a more formalized approach to landscape painting, founded in the traditions of the 17th century. When he arrived in Paris Valenciennes was established as the dominant figure in landscape painting and Gautier clearly sought to emulate him.
His first exhibited works were two small finished paintings, two drawings and two oil sketches somewhat unusual entries for an artist hoping to make an impression but perhaps the only choice available so soon after his arrival. Two years later he presented three oils, two representing Italian views and a seascape, and a watercolor of the town of Larissa, near Rome. In 1796 he presented two further views in Italy, and showed again in 1801, 1814 and 1817. His work recalls that of his contemporary, Bertin, but is more robust and was perhaps particularly suited to the military subjects that he was commissioned to produce from the late 1790s.