It is only with philanthropic support that the Museum has achieved these remarkable accomplishments. The Museum has recently benefited from such generosity to acquire many amazing objects.
To commemorate its bicentenary year, the Fitzwilliam Museum acquired this dashing portrait by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824–1904) for its permanent collection. One of the great French painters of the nineteenth century, and best known for his carefully finished historical works, Gérôme's virtuosity was recognised internationally. He was made an Honorary R.A. in 1867 and was an influential teacher, training a cosmopolitan array of students.
The Museum is delighted to now have this exquisite masterpiece on display in Gallery 5, where it has been reunited with other significant nineteenthth-century French art.
Our appreciation goes to a number of generous supporters including the Art Fund, the many individual benefactors and various trusts and foundations who made the acquisition of the Portrait of Claude-Armand Gérôme possible:
- The Art Fund
- The Gow Fund
- Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation
- Professor Bill and Mrs Monica Beck
- Estate of Brian and Mary Senior
- Ms Shawn M Donnelley and Professor Christopher M Kelly
- The Marlay Group
- The Aldama Foundation
- J Paul Getty Jr General Charitable Trust
- Hugues and Emmanuelle Lepic
- The Rothschild Foundation
- The Tavolozza Foundation
- The John S Cohen Foundation
- Ann D Foundation
- The Oldfield Charitable Trust
- Michael Marks Charitable Trust
- The Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust
- And many other generous individuals
