Charles X in his Coronation Robes (1829)

 François Gérard: Charles X in his Coronation Robes

English painter Henry Bone did a copy of this painting; his is below.

Coronation of Charles X (1827)

Baron François Gérard: Coronation of Charles X

Charles X ruled France for only a short period: 1824-1830. He was not a popular king.

Daphnis and Chloe (1824)

Baron François Gérard: Daphnis and Chloe

This pair has been seen here before.

Marie-Louise, Empress of France and Queen of Rome (1813)

François Gérard: Marie-Louise, Empress of France and Queen of Rome

This portrait of Napoleon's second wife depicts her with their firstborn son, who from birth was labeled "the King of Rome."

Charles XIV John as Crown Prince of Sweden 1811

François Gérard: Charles XIV John as Crown Prince of Sweden

There's an interesting story behind the "French King of Sweden". One of Napoleon's generals, Jean Bernadotte found himself acclaimed king of Sweden (apparently the Swedes were in need of a monarch). He took to the role wholeheartedly, placing Sweden's interests above all others and even, ultimately, outmaneuvering Napoleon himself. The dynasty established by Jean Bernadotte rules Sweden to this day - pretty good for a small-town boy from southern France!

The Battle of Austerlitz (1810)

François Gérard: The Battle of Austerlitz

This battle, also called The Battle of Three Emperors, took place in 1805 and was Napoleon's greatest victory.

Portrait of the Empress Joséphine (1808)

François Gérard: Portrait of the Empress Joséphine

Hortense de Beauharnais with her son Napoleon Charles Bonaparte (1806)

François Gérard: Hortense de Beauharnais with her son Napoleon Charles Bonaparte (detail)

Hortense de Beauharnais was the daughter of Empress Josephine (by her previous marriage to Alexandre de Beauharnais, who died at the guillotine during the Reign of Terror). Hortense went on to marry Napoleon's brother Louis, in so doing becoming Queen Consort of Holland. Although Hortense would later give birth to the boy who become Napoleon III, the child depicted in the photo sadly died a year after it was painted.

Madame Récamier (1805)

Baron François Gérard: Portrait of Madame Récamier

This is the second portrait of this lady featured here; the first was by Jacques-Louis David. The current painting was reportedly commissioned by Madame Récamier because of her dissatisfaction with the earlier one. David, upon hearing of the commission of Gérard's painting, said to Madame Récamier, "Women have their whims, and so do artists; allow me to satisfy mine by keeping this portrait." Stylistically the two paintings are quite different. Which do you prefer? I think I am with Madame Récamier in preferring this one, a much more lively depiction than David's.

Portrait of Madame Mère (1802)

By François Gérard, this is Portrait of Madame Mère - the mother of Napoleon. A significant influence in Napoleon's life, his mother, Maria-Letizia Ramolino Bonaparte, was his unfailing supporter but never shrank from speaking truth to his power. They maintained a close relationship through all the turmoil of Napoleon's years of struggle. As Emperor, Napoleon gave his mother the title of “Son Altesse Impériale, Madame Mère de l'Empereur” (Her Imperial Highness, Mother of the Emperor).  

More about the woman, and about this painting, are here.

Portrait of the Empress Josephine (1801)

This is François Gérard's famous Portrait of the Empress Josephine.

This portrait of Josephine, wife of Napoleon, First Consul of France, represents a new type of more accessible portrait, lacking in official pomp. The First Lady is seen in relaxed pose, with thoughtful gaze, on the open terrace of the palace at Malmaison as she perhaps takes a rest after a walk. The park landscape and bunch of flowers on the divan create an atmosphere of sentimental poetry, emphasizing the inner state of the sitter, which was so typical of the Romantic period. Yet the idealisation of the sitter, the static composition built upon a balance of horizontal and vertical lines, and the classical style of the dress and hairstyle are very much within the traditions of Neoclassicism. This painting is held by the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia; the preceding description is from their web site.

The artist, François Gérard, was a prominent and prolific painter. Born of a middle-class family, his artistic exploits resulted in him being granted noble status in 1809 (after which he was often known as Baron Gérard). He was yet another student of Jacques-Louis David.