Seeing is believing - The art and influence of Jean-Leon Gerome

Born in 1824 in the small town of Vesoul, in eastern France, into a family of goldsmiths, Jean-Léon Gérôme (1824–1904) became one of the most recognised and distinguished academic painters of the Second Empire (1852–1870).

The first section explores the artist's biography and painting techniques, while raising critical questions about the reception of his art in different periods and circles.

The second section examines the central role of photography in Gérôme's work, analysing how it facilitated his artistic process and contributed to his worldwide renown.

The third section offers a contemporary perspective, presenting works that respond to Gérôme's art in diverse and stimulating ways.

Published to coincide with a major exhibition organised by the Qatar Museums in Doha (3 November 2024 - 22 February 2025), the book is the result of a collaboration between two institutions: Mathaf, Arab Museum of Modern Art, and the Lusail Museum, which will house the world's largest collection of Orientalist paintings and photographs. Thanks to this curatorial collaboration, the two museums have been able to bring together works from their collections and from international institutions such as the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States and the Musée d'Orsay in France, as well as from numerous private collectors.