Les funerailles d'Atala'
Girodet was one of the star pupils of David (1748-1825). Girodetâs success in his lifetime was followed by a spectacular fall from grace. This painting is taken from one of Girodetâs most successful compositions that inspired a host of copies by numerous artists. The subject of Atatla is taken from the novel of the same name by Chateaubriand, published in 1801. The moment chosen is the burial of Atala in the grotto, where a hermit winds linen round the body. The characters are the heartbroken Chactas, the noble savage, the corpse of Atala and the Père Aubry. This copy has every appearance of dating from the period of the original, 1808.
