Jean-Leon Gerome French Academic Painter and Sculptor, 1824-1904 is_the_immediate_source_of_the_thumbs_down_gesture_in_popular_culture._It_is_owned_by_Phoenix_Art_Museum. Pollice Verso by Jean-L??on G??rôme, 1872, is the immediate source of the "thumbs down" gesture in popular culture. It is owned by Phoenix Art Museum. Pollice Verso by Jean-L??on G??rôme, 1872, is the immediate source of the "thumbs down" gesture in popular culture. It is owned by Phoenix Art Museum.