France: 'The Slave Market'. Oil on canvas painting by Jean-Leon Gerome, 1866. Jean-Leon Gerome (11 May 1824 - 10 January 1904) was a French painter and sculptor. The range of his oeuvre included historical painting, Greek mythology, Orientalism, portraits, and other subjects, bringing the academic painting tradition to an artistic climax. He is considered one of the most important painters from this academic period.