of his historical paintings supported historical change. He painted mainly in sharp color contrasts, heavy solid contours and clear outlines. The severity of this style led many contemporary artists - including Prud'hon - to a romanticized counter movement. They preferred the shadowy softness and gentle color gradations of Italian Renaissance painters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Antonio da Correggio, whose works they studied intensively. Also, Steuben, who had begun his training with David, felt the school was becoming increasingly rigid and dogmatic. Critics praise his deliberate compositions, excellent brush stroke and impressive color effects. But his pursuit of dramatic design of rich people also showed, at times, a pronounced tendency toward the histrionic. Gallery References Leopold von Pezold: Steuben, Charles. In: General German Biography (ADB). Volume 36, Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig, 1893, pp. 148 f External links 1788 births 1856 deaths 18th-century French painters French male painters 19th-century French painters Burials at Père Lachaise Cemetery Orientalist painters 19th-century French male artists 18th-century French male artists