French Neoclassical Painter, 1748-1825
Jacques-Louis David is famous for his huge, dramatic canvasses of Napoleon and other historical figures, including Oath of the Horatii (1784), Death of Marat (1793) and The Sabine Women (1799). Early in his career he was a leader in the neoclassical movement; later his subjects became more modern and political. David was himself active in the French Revolution as a supporter of Robespierre and is sometimes called the chief propagandist for the Revolution; after the Reign of Terror ended he was briefly imprisoned for his actions. When Napoleon took power David became his court painter and created several grand canvasses of the Emperor, including the heroic Napoleon Bonaparte Crossing the Alps (1801) and the enormous Coronation of Napoleon and Josephine (1807). David also painted Napoleon in His Study (1812),
Louis XVI Showing the Constitution to his Son the Dauphin 1792 Graphite, 180 x 110 mm Mus?e du Louvre, Paris This drawing is from Album 7, folio 38 verso. In the spring of 1792 David received a most unexpected commission. This was to paint the king in the act of showing the constitution to his heir, the Dauphin. David was certainly no royalist and the fact that he actually started work on the picture meant that he thought that it could be a positive contribution to the course of the moderate Revolution. As well as studies for Louis XVI Showing the Constitution to his Son, the Dauphin, David also made drawings for an Allegory of the French People Offering the Crown and Sceptre to the King. These paintings were never realized. Author: DAVID, Jacques-Louis Title: Louis XVI Showing the Constitution to his Son, the Dauphin Form: graphics , 1801-1850 , French , study
Head of the Dead Marat black and brown ink, 270 x 210 mm Mus?e National du Ch?teau, Versailles David probably drew Marat while the body was on display and this drawing, with its network of crosshatching in the manner of an engraving, isolates the head and produces a macabre yet powerful portrait of the deceased. As with the final painting (The Death of Marat) there is no suggestion of the violent act that had taken place, and in the four corners David wrote A MARAT /L'AMI/DU PEUPLE/DAVID (To Marat, The Friend of the People, David). Author: DAVID, Jacques-Louis Title: Head of the Dead Marat Form: graphics , 1801-1850 , French , study
The English Government 1794 Hand coloured etching, 248 x 392 mm Biliotheque Nationale, Paris Painting occupied only a fraction of David's time during the Revolution. He also made designs for civic uniforms, for money and official seals and even produced two crudely drawn and vulgar caricatures that mocked the English. Since the Revolution his views on the English had clearly changed and he no longer felt them to be the epitome of a free nation. According to the print's caption the English government 'is personified by the figure of a Devil skinned alive, monopolizing commerce and covered with all the Royal decorations. The portrait of the king is located at the rear end of the government which vomits on its people a myriad of taxes which overwhelm them.' Author: DAVID, Jacques-Louis Title: The English Government Form: graphics , 1801-1850 , French , other
Woman in a Turban 1794 Pen and brown ink, 370 x 260 mm Private collection David worked with great energy while in prison. He made the drawing of a Woman in a Turban in the style of an engraving. He very pointedly inscribed 'J L David did this in chains' (i.e. in prison). Author: DAVID, Jacques-Louis Title: Woman in a Turban Form: graphics , 1801-1850 , French , portrait
French Neoclassical Painter, 1748-1825
Jacques-Louis David is famous for his huge, dramatic canvasses of Napoleon and other historical figures, including Oath of the Horatii (1784), Death of Marat (1793) and The Sabine Women (1799). Early in his career he was a leader in the neoclassical movement; later his subjects became more modern and political. David was himself active in the French Revolution as a supporter of Robespierre and is sometimes called the chief propagandist for the Revolution; after the Reign of Terror ended he was briefly imprisoned for his actions. When Napoleon took power David became his court painter and created several grand canvasses of the Emperor, including the heroic Napoleon Bonaparte Crossing the Alps (1801) and the enormous Coronation of Napoleon and Josephine (1807). David also painted Napoleon in His Study (1812),
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