Antoine Jean Gros, baron, a French painter, born in Paris, March 16, 1771, died about June 25, 1835, He was educated in the school of David. "Bonaparte on the Bridge of Arcole," painted in 1801, first brought him into notice; but the "Plague at Jaffa," with Napoleon visiting the sick, exhibited in 1804, excited an extraordinary enthusiasm. The artist was placed at the head of living painters, and his picture was crowned with wreaths of palm. Gros next painted in rapid succession, and in a similar manner, immense pictures of the "Battle of Aboukir," the "Battle of the Pyramids," "Napoleon visiting the Field of Eylau after the Battle," the "Battle of Wagram," and other subjects suggested by events of the first empire. In France his chief work is considered to be the cupola of Ste. Genevieve at Paris, begun in 1811, exhibiting the saint protecting the throne of France, represented by Clovis, Charlemagne, St. Louis, and Louis XVIII. The picture covers an immense space, and is correct in design, but defective in color and expression. The artist received for it 150,000 francs, and the title of baron. Toward the close of his life his style deteriorated so greatly that his pictures were very severely criticised.

He made a last attempt to compete with the new romantic school in his " Hercules and Diomedes;" failing in which, he closed his studio, exclaiming " that he knew no misfortune greater than to survive oneself." Soon after his body was found in the Seine near Meudon. It was supposed that he drowned himself in a fit of temporary insanity.