Focus on this artwork and explain the History.
Juliette Récamier (1777–1849), née Bernard, was the wife of the wealthy and much older banker Jacques Récamier (1751–1830). Since 1799 she held a popular salon in Paris for many years, which became an important meeting place for artists and intellectuals, many of whom were opponents of Napoleon. She was known for her beauty and was portrayed several times by various prominent painters.In 1800, the neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David painted her in a classical pose and dress, with her reclined on a type of sofa that would later be named after her: a récamier. However, she was dissatisfied with what she thought was David's cold approach, and she commissioned instead his pupil François Gérard to make a new portrait of her. When he knew of this, David decided to leave her portrait unfinished.
Napoleon Juliette Récamier Paris Jacques-Louis David François Gérard