[2] In 1822, he returned to Paris and, inspired by his brother (who had become a student of Horace Vernet) he decided to pursue a career in art and found a position in the studios of Anne-Louis Girodet.

In 1828, King Charles X commissioned him to paint a depiction of Ensign Hippolyte Bisson [fr] who, the year before, had blown up his ship rather than surrender it to pirates.

Shortly after, Gudin went with his friend, French Navy officer Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars, to participate in the Algerian Expedition, where he made numerous sketches.

He was then created a Baron by the King and commissioned to produce ninety paintings on French naval history for the Palace of Versailles, a monumental task that apparently undermined his health.

He served as vice-president of the Société centrale de sauvetage des naufragés [fr],[7] which he helped to create in 1864, in memory of his late brother Jean Louis.