History Creator / JacquesLouisDavid

A Jacobin and a close personal friend of UsefulNotes/MaximilienRobespierre, David was imprisoned after the latter's downfall and his activity on the Committee of General Security(which oversaw executions during the ReignOfTerror) made him fall out of favor. He was rescued by the Rise of Napoleon. David was fascinated by the General's Meditteranean appearance (which he likened to Antiquity) and started work on several works that built his legend. Napoleon for his part, was quite willing to overlook the fact that it was David who signed the death warrant of Alexandre de Beauharnais (Josephine's first husband) unintentionally clearing the way for him. Although Napoleon only sat once for a David portrait, David had a skilfull enough grasp of his features to create the most iconic images of his Legend, whether it's [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_Crossing_the_Alps#mediaviewer/File:David_-_Napoleon_crossing_the_Alps_-_Malmaison1.jpg Napoleon Crossing the Alps]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor_Napoleon_in_His_Study_at_the_Tuileries#mediaviewer/File:Jacques-Louis_David_-_The_Emperor_Napoleon_in_His_Study_at_the_Tuileries_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg Napoleon in his Study]] or [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coronation_of_Napoleon#mediaviewer/File:Jacques-Louis_David,_The_Coronation_of_Napoleon_edit.jpg the Coronation]]. Napoleon, a fellow ex-Jacobin, also remembered David's skill in organizing Republican Pageants, and tasked him with to stage the festivities of the Coronation as well. As a regicide, David was exiled upon the Bourbon Restoration and settled in Brussells where he trained several painters. His work fell out of style but was revived in the middle of the 19th Century, especially for his Revolutionary Output which is regarded as his best work. His iconic images adorn the Louvre Museum and has inspired several major artists in the years to come.

David became a one-man propaganda division for the Revolution and, later for UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte. His paintings include, the mammoth never-completed but iconic depiction of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_Court_Oath#mediaviewer/File:Le_Serment_du_Jeu_de_paume.jpg the Tennis Court Oath]], his portraits of Republican martyrs, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Michel_le_Peletier,_marquis_de_Saint-Fargeau Louis-Michel Lepelettier]] and the young [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bara#mediaviewer/File:Mort_de_Barra_IMG_2266.JPG Joseph Bara]]. His masterpiece is the single most iconic image of the Revolution, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Marat The Death of Marat]]''. David also sat on the National Convention during this period and like the majority of the Jacobins, he voted for the King's execution.

David became a one-man propaganda division for the Revolution and, later Napoleon. His paintings include, the mammoth never-completed but iconic depiction of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_Court_Oath#mediaviewer/File:Le_Serment_du_Jeu_de_paume.jpg the Tennis Court Oath]], his portraits of Republican martyrs, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Michel_le_Peletier,_marquis_de_Saint-Fargeau Louis-Michel Lepelettier]] and the young [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bara#mediaviewer/File:Mort_de_Barra_IMG_2266.JPG Joseph Bara]]. His masterpiece is the single most iconic image of the Revolution, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Marat The Death of Marat]]''. David also sat on the National Convention during this period and like the majority of the Jacobins, he voted for the King's execution.

When the Revolution began, David's work was judged by his former aristocratic patrons to be too incendiary and often banned from being exhibited at Salons. The real scandal was the painting, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lictors_Bring_to_Brutus_the_Bodies_of_His_Sons The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons]]''. This chronicled Lucius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor to the more notorious Marcus Junius Brutus, sternly and grimly sacrificing his traitorous sons for the Nation, a vindication of stern Republican patriotism. The Royal Salon's attempt to ban a display of the painting led to a cry of protest and the painting and David quickly became a Republican symbol.

Before the Revolution, David was active in the Royal Academy (located at the Palais du Louvre, soon to be a museum) and was famous for being both an InsufferableGenius and a highly ambitious man. He painted the portraits of several nobles and salon gatherers (though never the Royal Family). He spent much time in {{UsefulNotes/Rome}}, because, "Only in Rome can I paint Romans". This resulted in his engagement with "history painting". His subjects were scenes from antiquity - ''The Oath of the Horatii, The Death of Socrates'' - but painted with a greater attention to the philosophy and spirit of the Ancient World. Philosopher and art critic, Denis Diderot, noted that David's paintings often felt like ancient bas-reliefs come to life. When the Revolution began, David's work was judged by his former aristocratic patrons to be too incendiary and often banned from being exhibited at Salons. The real scandal was the painting, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lictors_Bring_to_Brutus_the_Bodies_of_His_Sons The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons]]''. This chronicled Lucius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor to the more notorious Marcus Junius Brutus, sternly and grimly sacrificing his traitorous sons for the Nation, a vindication of stern Republican patriotism. The Royal Salon's attempt to ban a display of the painting led to a cry of protest and the painting and David quickly became a Republican symbol.

Before the Revolution, David was active in the Royal Academy (located at the Palais du Louvre, soon to be a museum) and was famous for being both an InsufferableGenius and a highly ambitious man. He painted the portraits of several nobles and salon gatherers (though never the Royal Family). He spent much time in Rome, because, "Only in Rome can I paint Romans". This resulted in his engagement with "history painting". His subjects were scenes from antiquity - ''The Oath of the Horatii, The Death of Socrates'' - but painted with a greater attention to the philosophy and spirit of the Ancient World. Philosopher and art critic, Denis Diderot, noted that David's paintings often felt like ancient bas-reliefs come to life. When the Revolution began, David's work was judged by his former aristocratic patrons to be too incendiary and often banned from being exhibited at Salons. The real scandal was the painting, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lictors_Bring_to_Brutus_the_Bodies_of_His_Sons The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons]]''. This chronicled Lucius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor to the more notorious Marcus Junius Brutus, sternly and grimly sacrificing his traitorous sons for the Nation, a vindication of stern Republican patriotism. The Royal Salon's attempt to ban a display of the painting led to a cry of protest and the painting and David quickly became a Republican symbol.

Before the Revolution, David was active in the Royal Academy (located at the Palais du Louvre, soon to be a museum) and was famous for being an InsufferableGenius and highly ambitious man. He painted the portraits of several nobles and salon gatherers (though never the Royal Family). He spent much time in Rome, because, "Only in Rome can I paint Romans". This resulted in his engagement with "history painting". His subjects were scenes from antiquity - ''The Oath of the Horatii, The Death of Socrates'' - but painted with a greater attention to the philosophy and spirit of the Ancient World. Philosopher and art critic, Denis Diderot, noted that David's paintings often felt like ancient bas-reliefs come to life. When the Revolution began, David's work was judged by his former aristocratic patrons to be too incendiary and often banned from being exhibited at Salons. The real scandal was the painting, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lictors_Bring_to_Brutus_the_Bodies_of_His_Sons The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons]]''. This chronicled Lucius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor to the more notorious Marcus Junius Brutus, sternly and grimly sacrificing his traitorous sons for the Nation, a vindication of stern Republican patriotism. The Royal Salon's attempt to ban a display of the painting led to a cry of protest and the painting and David quickly became a Republican symbol.

David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists, but already he began to revolt against the then-dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several examples of great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Antoine Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of UsefulNotes/TheRomanRepublic, emphasizing stern, stoic commitment to patriotism and civic good.

David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists, but already he began to revolt against the then-dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several examples of great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of the Roman Republic, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to patriotism and civic good.

David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists, but already he began to revolt against the then-dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of the Roman Republic, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to patriotism and civic good.

David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists but already he began to revolt against the dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of the Roman Republic, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to patriotism and civic good.

He is famous for his brilliant portraits and especially his works in the genre of "history painting" which he single-handedly changed forever. David is also famous and controversial for being the first major artist who declared his art [[PropagandaMachine in the service of political causes]]. His work was defiantly pro-Revolutionary, it was intended to be propaganda for the Republic, and later, the Empire. His prolific output, and the power of his best work is such that his images, more than chronicles or historical accounts, provides the most endearing chronicle of UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution. David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists but already he began to revolt against the dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of the Roman Republic, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to patriotism and civic good.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/david_self_portrait_1_2451.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:''Self-Portrait'' in 1794]]

'''Jacques-Louis David''' (30 August 1748 – 29 December 1825) was the most prominent and influential painter of his age. He is famous for his brilliant portraits and especially his works in the genre of "history painting" which he single-handedly changed forever. David is also famous and controversial for being the first major artist who declared his art in the service of political causes. His work was defiantly pro-Revolutionary, it was intended to be propaganda for the Republic, and later, the Empire. His prolific output, and the power of his best work is such that his images, more than chronicles or historical accounts, provides the most endearing chronicle of UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution. David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists but already he began to revolt against the dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of the Roman Republic, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to patriotism and civic good.

! Tropes

* SignatureStyle: His portraiture, somber colours are instantly recognizable though since it became the house style, many later artists tried to rebel against him.

'''Jacques-Louis David''' (1748-1825) was the most prominent and influential painter of his age. He is famous for his brilliant portraits and especially his works in the genre of "history painting" which he single-handedly changed forever. David is also famous and controversial for being the first major artist who declared his art in the service of political causes. His work was defiantly pro-Revolutionary, it was intended to be propaganda for the Republic, and later, the Empire. His prolific output, and the power of his best work is such that his images, more than chronicles or historical accounts, provides the most endearing chronicle of UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution. David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists but already he began to revolt against the dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of the Roman Republic, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to patriotism and civic good.

A Jacobin and a close personal friend of UsefulNotes/MaximilienRobespierre, David was imprisoned after the latter's downfall and his activity on the Committee of General Security(which oversaw executions during the ReignOfTerror) made him fall out of favor. He was rescued by the Rise of Napoleon. David was fascinated by the General's Meditteranean appearance (which he likened to Antiquity) and started work on several works that built his legend. Napoleon for his part, was quite willing to overlook the fact that it was David who signed the death warrant of Alexandre de Beauharnais (Josephine's first husband) unintentionally clearing the way for him. Although Napoleon only sat once for a David portrait, David had a skilfull enough grasp of his features to create the most iconic images of his Legend, whether it's [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_Crossing_the_Alps#mediaviewer/File:David_-_Napoleon_crossing_the_Alps_-_Malmaison1.jpg Napoleon Crossing the Alps]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor_Napoleon_in_His_Study_at_the_Tuileries#mediaviewer/File:Jacques-Louis_David_-_The_Emperor_Napoleon_in_His_Study_at_the_Tuileries_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg Napoleon in his Study]] or [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coronation_of_Napoleon#mediaviewer/File:Jacques-Louis_David,_The_Coronation_of_Napoleon_edit.jpg the Coronation]]. Napoleon, a fellow ex-Jacobin, also remembered David's skill in organizing Republican Pageants, and tasked him with to stage the festivities of the Coronation as well. His more interesting portraits in this period are the Directoire portraits of Ladies such as Madame Recamier. As a regicide, David was exiled upon the Bourbon Restoration and settled in Brussells where he trained several painters. His work fell out of style but was revived in the middle of the 19th Century, especially for his Revolutionary Output which is regarded as his best work. His iconic images adorn the Louvre Museum and has inspired several major artists in the years to come.

'''Jacques-Louis David''' (1748-1825) was the most prominent and influential painter of his age. He is famous for his brilliant portraits and especially his works in the genre of "history painting" which he single-handedly changed forever. David is also famous and controversial for being the first major artist who declared his art in the service of political causes. His work was defiantly pro-Revolutionary, it was intended to be propaganda for the Republic, and later, the Empire. His prolific output, and the power of his best work is such that his images, more than chronicles or historical accounts, provides the most endearing chronicle of the history, mentality and spirit fo his age. David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists but already he began to revolt against the dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. This meant not a return to the grandeur of Rome but a return to the virtues of the Roman Republic, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to patriotism and civic good.

* MadArtist: David was quite sane but his activities as a painter and revolutionary are quite tinged with controversy. There's the fact that during the Terror, he tended to sketch people sent to the guillotine on a tumbrel, including people ''he executed himself'' such as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-Louis_David#mediaviewer/File:Jacques-Louis_David_-_Marie_Antoinette_on_the_Way_to_the_Guillotine.jpg this famous image of Marie Antoinette]]. He's often seen, along with Creator/SergeiEisenstein, as an example of a great artist whose work is tinged with controversial support for radical politics. During his time, serving the Committee of General Security, he signed the death warrants of at least 400 people.

David became a one-man propaganda division for the Revolution and, later Napoleon. His paintings include, the mammoth never-completed but iconic depiction of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_Court_Oath#mediaviewer/File:Le_Serment_du_Jeu_de_paume.jpg the Tennis Court Oath]], his portraits of Republican martyrs, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Michel_le_Peletier,_marquis_de_Saint-Fargeau Louis-Michel Lepelettier]] and the young [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bara#mediaviewer/File:Mort_de_Barra_IMG_2266.JPG Joseph Bara]]. His masterpiece is the single most iconic image of the Revolution, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Marat The Death of Marat]]''.

A Jacobin and a close personal friend of UsefulNotes/MaximilienRobespierre, David was imprisoned after the latter's downfall and his activity on the Committee of General Security(which oversaw executions during the ReignOfTerror) made him fall out of favor. He was rescued by the Rise of Napoleon. David was fascinated by the General's Meditteranean appearance (which he likened to Antiquity) and started work on several works that built his legend. Napoleon for his part, was quite willing to overlook the fact that it was David who signed the death warrant of Alexandre de Beauharnais (Josephine's first husband) unintentionally clearing the way for him. Although Napoleon only sat once for a David portrait, David had a skilfull enough grasp of his features to create the most iconic images of his Legend, whether it's Napoleon Crossing the Alps, Napoleon in his Study or the Coronation. Napoleon, a fellow ex-Jacobin, also remembered David's skill in organizing Republican Pageants, and tasked him with to stage the festivities of the Coronation as well. His more interesting portraits in this period are the Directoire portraits of Ladies such as Madame Recamier. As a regicide, David was exiled upon the Bourbon Restoration and settled in Brussells where he trained several painters. His work fell out of style but was revived in the middle of the 19th Century, especially for his Revolutionary Output which is regarded as his best work. His iconic images adorn the Louvre Museum and has inspired several major artists in the years to come.

* MadArtist: David was quite sane but his activities as a painter and revolutionary are quite tinged with controversy. There's the fact that during the Terror, he tended to sketch people sent to the guillotine on a tumbrel, including people ''he executed himself'' such as this famous image of Marie Antoinette. He's often seen, along with Creator/SergeiEisenstein, as an example of a great artist whose work is tinged with controversial support for radical politics. During his time, serving the Committee of General Security, he signed the death warrants of at least 400 people.

David became a one-man propaganda division for the Revolution and, later Napoleon. His paintings include, the mammoth never-completed but iconic depiction of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_Court_Oath#mediaviewer/File:Le_Serment_du_Jeu_de_paume.jpg the Tennis Court Oath]], his portraits of Republican martyrs, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Michel_le_Peletier,_marquis_de_Saint-Fargeau Louis-Michel Lepelettier]] and the young [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bara#mediaviewer/File:Mort_de_Barra_IMG_2266.JPG Joseph Bara]]. His masterpiece is the single most iconic image of the Revolution, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Marat The Death of Marat]]''. As noted by art-historian E. H. Gombrich, this painting was shocking for its ability to borrow from religious painting, the Pieta like composition of Marat, the classical structure (the bare body and torso and muscles) to sacralize what is after all, a lurid crime scene - making a martyr out of a Revolutionary, a "Friend of the People" rather than a King, Soldier or a Saint. In this image, David exploded neo-classicism to create something truly modern, where classical republicanism becomes an image of secular democracy.

* MadArtist: David was quite sane but his activities as a painter and revolutionary lead to a lot confusion. There's the fact that during the Terror, he tended to sketch people sent to the guillotine on a tumbrel, including people ''he executed himself'' such as this famous image of Marie Antoinette. He's often seen, along with Creator/SergeiEisenstein, as an example of a great artist whose work is tinged with controversial support for radical politics. During his time, serving the Committee of General Security, he signed the death warrants of at least 400 people.

* PropagandaMachine: David served the First Republic as Head Artist. He organized several festivals dedicated to the Republic, including the Funeral Processions of Voltaire to the Pantheon, as well as that of Marat and Joseph Bara. His most controversial participation is the notorious Festival of the Supreme Being, which he collaborated with Robespierre. He also painted portraits of several Republican martyrs - Lepeletier, Marat and Joseph Bara. He later worked as a collaborator of Napoleon, who learned thanks to David of the power of images in spreading propaganda (and hired several of David's students to serve in his entourage during his battles, to chronicle his "greatness").

Before the Revolution, David was active in the Royal Academy (located at the Palais du Louvre, soon to be a museum) and was famous for being an InsufferableGenius and highly ambitious man. He painted the portraits of several nobles and salon gatherers (though never the Royal Family). He spent much time in Rome, because, "Only in Rome can I paint Romans". This resulted in his engagement with "history painting". His subjects were scenes from antiquity - ''The Oath of the Horatii, The Death of Socrates'' - but painted with a greater attention to the philosophy and spirit of the Ancient World. Philosopher and art critic, Denis Diderot, noted that David's paintings often felt like ancient bas-reliefs come to life. When the Revolution began, David's work was judged by his former aristocratic patrons to be too incendiary and often banned from being exhibited at Salons. The real scandal was the painting, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lictors_Bring_to_Brutus_the_Bodies_of_His_Sons The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons]]''. This chronicled Lucius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor to the more notorious Marcus Junius Brutus, sternly and grimly sacrificing his traitorous sons for the Nation, a vindication of stern Republican patriotism. The Royal Salon's attempt to ban a display of the painting led to a cry of protest and the painting and David quickly became a Republican symbol. As noted by [[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/brushes-power David A. Bell]], "[[UnfortunateImplications No work of art better captured the mentality that allowed the Jacobins to feel virtuous in sending tens of thousands of their fellow citizens to the guillotine. No work of art helped more to inspire them to do so.]]"

Before the Revolution, David was active in the Royal Academy (located at the Palais du Louvre, soon to be a museum) and was famous for being an InsufferableGenius and highly ambitious man. He painted the portraits of several nobles and salon gatherers (though never the Royal Family). He spent much time in Rome, because, "Only in Rome can I paint Romans". This resulted in his engagement with "history painting". His subjects were scenes from antiquity - ''The Oath of the Horatii, The Death of Socrates'' - but painted with a greater attention to the philosophy and spirit of the Ancient World. Philosopher and art critic, Denis Diderot, noted that David's paintings often felt like ancient bas-reliefs come to life. When the Revolution began, David's work was judged by his former aristocratic patrons to be too incendiary and often banned from being exhibited at Salons. The real scandal was the painting, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lictors_Bring_to_Brutus_the_Bodies_of_His_Sons The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons]]''. This chronicled Lucius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor to the more notorious Marcus Junius Brutus, sternly and grimly sacrificing his traitorous sons for the Nation, a vindication of stern Republican patriotism. The Royal Salon's attempt to ban a display of the painting led to a cry of protest and the painting and David quickly became a Republican symbol. As noted by David A. Bell, ''"[[UnfortunateImplications No work of art better captured the mentality that allowed the Jacobins to feel virtuous in sending tens of thousands of their fellow citizens to the guillotine. No work of art helped more to inspire them to do so.]]"''

David became a one-man propaganda division for the Revolution and, later Napoleon. His paintings include, the mammoth never-completed but iconic depiction of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_Court_Oath#mediaviewer/File:Le_Serment_du_Jeu_de_paume.jpg the Tennis Court Oath]], his portraits of Republican martyrs, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Michel_le_Peletier,_marquis_de_Saint-Fargeau Louis-Michel Lepelettier]] and the young [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bara#mediaviewer/File:Mort_de_Barra_IMG_2266.JPG Joseph Bara]].
** His masterpiece is the single most iconic image of the Revolution, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Marat The Death of Marat]]''. As noted by art-historian E. H. Gombrich, this painting was shocking for its ability to borrow from religious painting, the Pieta like composition of Marat, the classical structure (the bare body and torso and muscles) to sacralize what is after all, a lurid crime scene - making a martyr out of a Revolutionary, a "Friend of the People" rather than a King, Soldier or a Saint. In this image, David exploded neo-classicism to create something truly modern, where classical republicanism becomes an image of secular democracy.

A Jacobin and a close personal friend of UsefulNotes/MaximilienRobespierre, David was imprisoned after the latter's downfall and his activity on the Committee of General Security(which oversaw executions during the ReignOfTerror) made him fall out of favor. He was rescued by the Rise of Napoleon. David was fascinated by the General's Meditteranean appearance (which he likened to Antiquity) and started work on several works that built his legend. Napoleon for his part, was quite willing to overlook the fact that it was David who signed the death warrant of Alexandre de Beauharnais (Josephine's first husband) unintentionally clearing the way for him. Although Napoleon only gave a single sitting, it was David who created the most iconic images of his Legend, whether it's Napoleon Crossing the Alps, Napoleon in his Study or the Coronation. Napoleon, a fellow ex-Jacobin, also remembered David's skill in organizing Republican Pageants, and tasked him with to stage the festivities of the Coronation as well. As a regicide, David was exiled upon the Bourbon Restoration and settled in Brussells where he trained several painters. His work fell out of style but was revived in the middle of the 19th Century, especially for his Revolutionary Output which is regarded as his best work. His iconic images adorn the Louvre Museum and has inspired several major artists in the years to come.

* PropagandaMachine: David became a Jacobin himself and a close personal friend of UsefulNotes/MaximilienRobespierre. His involvement in radical politics, for a man with such a high profile career and one who certainly did not struggle in the Ancien Regime, has puzzled several historians. But David's enthusiasm and belief in the Revolution cannot be doubted, he was actively involved in organizing several Republican Festivals, designing costumes for Representatives on Missions and served as an all-purpose Head-of-Arts during the Revolution, in addition to painting portraits of Republican martyrs - Lepeletier, Marat and Joseph Bara. David was a member of the National Convention and he voted for the Execution of the King. This led to an estrangement with his wife, a devout Catholic with royalist sympathies. He also served on the Committee of General Security, which organized the arrests and orders of executions during the ReignOfTerror. In all, David's signature adorns the death warrants of at least 400 victims. During this period, David served the Committee by providing cartoons that caricatured the Republic's enemies, he and his students also worked full time in the Louvre Museum which housed his atelier. His most prominent involvement was Robespierre's Festival of the Supreme Being, the largest and most spectacular(and most controversial) of all Republican Festivals. His admiration for him was so fierce that on the day before Robespierre's downfall he told him loudly, "I will follow you, if you drink Hemlock"[[note]]An allusion to Socrates' death by poisoning via hemlock[[/note]]. After his hero's downfall, David was arrested for several months during which he painted the famous self-portrait above, showing his disillusionment as well as satisfaction in having survived the bloody phase of the Revolution. David publicly abjured Robespierre and in the post-Thermidor period struggled since he had so spectacularly burnt his bridges by casting his lot against the royalists and moderates. His rescue arrived in the form of UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte.

'''Jacques-Louis David''' (1748-1825) was the most prominent and influential painter of his age. His works were prominent in the emerging Neo-Classical style that enveloped the late 18th Century. He is famous for his brilliant portraits and especially his works in the genre of "history painting" which he single-handedly changed forever. David is also famous, and controversial, for being the first artist who engaged his work in the service of political causes. His work was defiantly pro-Revolutionary, it was intended to be propaganda for the Republic, and later, the Empire. His prolific output, and the power of his best work is such that his images, more than chronicles or historical accounts, provides the most endearing chronicle of the history, mentality and spirit fo his age.

David was born into a wealthy family and his talent and passion for drawing was noted and nurtured from a very early age. He apprenticed with several major artists but already he began to revolt against the dominant Rococo style. Rococo or often described as "late Baroque" can be described as a sugary-sweet, sentimental approach to painting, where the idea was to glory in curves, filigree and all kinds of joyful forms. The paintings were aimed to provide a feast for the senses and several great art came in this period, such as the paintings of Watteau (whose landscapes inspired the real-life gardens landscaped by aristocrats). Neoclassicism was meant as a revolt against this artificiality. By classicism, they meant the grandeur of Rome, the virtues of the Roman Republic and the Empire, emphasizing stern, stoic committment to heroism. David was one of many artists to turn to the Ancient World, or a certain idea of the Ancient World.

Before the Revolution, David was active in the Royal Academy (located at the Palais du Louvre, soon to be a museum) and was famous for being an InsufferableGenius and highly ambitious man. He painted the portraits of several nobles and salon gatherers (though never the Royal Family). He spent much time in Rome, because, "Only in Rome can I paint Romans". This resulted in his first major work in "history painting". His subjects were scenes from antiquity - ''The Oath of the Horatii, The Death of Socrates'' - but painted with a greater attention to realism and philosophy than before. His portraits not only aimed to capture the past and the subjects but also imbue it with the spirit of the Ancient World. Philosopher and art critic, Denis Diderot, noted that David's paintings often felt like ancient bas-reliefs come to life. When the Revolution began, David's work was judged by his former aristocratic patrons to be too incendiary and often banned from being exhibited at Salons. Even his portraits of Antoine Lavosier and his wife was judged to be incendiary on account of the Chemist's Republican sympathies and likewise banned. The real scandal was the painting, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lictors_Bring_to_Brutus_the_Bodies_of_His_Sons The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons]]'' was cited to be especially influential, since it chronicled Lucius Brutus, founder of the Roman Republic and ancestor to the more notorious Marcus Junius Brutus, sternly and grimly sacrificing his traitorous sons for the Nation, celebrating stern Republican patriotism. The Royal Salon's attempt to ban a display of the painting led to a cry of protest and the painting and David quickly became a Republican symbol. As noted by David A. Bell, ''"No work of art better captured the mentality that allowed the Jacobins to feel virtuous in sending tens of thousands of their fellow citizens to the guillotine. No work of art helped more to inspire them to do so."''

David became a Jacobin himself and a close personal friend of UsefulNotes/MaximilienRobespierre. His involvement in radical politics, for a man with such a high profile career and one who certainly did not struggle in the Ancien Regime, has puzzled several historians. But David's enthusiasm and belief in the Revolution cannot be doubted, he was actively involved in organizing several Republican Festivals, designing costumes for Representatives on Missions and served as an all-purpose Head-of-Arts during the Revolution. His works become openly propagandistic, most notably his mammoth never-completed but iconic depiction of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_Court_Oath#mediaviewer/File:Le_Serment_du_Jeu_de_paume.jpg the Tennis Court Oath]], his portraits of Republican martyrs, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Michel_le_Peletier,_marquis_de_Saint-Fargeau Louis-Michel Lepelettier]] and the young [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bara#mediaviewer/File:Mort_de_Barra_IMG_2266.JPG Joseph Bara]]. His masterpiece is the single most iconic image of the Revolution, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Marat The Death of Marat]]''. As noted by art-historian E. H. Gombrich, this painting was shocking for its ability to borrow from religious painting, the Pieta like composition of Marat, the classical structure (the bare body and torso and muscles) to sacralize what is after all, a lurid crime scene - making a martyr out of a Revolutionary, a "Friend of the People" rather than a King, Soldier or a Saint. In this image, David exploded neo-classicism to create something truly modern, where classical republicanism becomes an image of secular democracy.

David's involvement in politics wasn't simply as material for his art. He was a member of the National Convention and he voted for the Execution of the King. This led to an estrangement with his wife, a devout Catholic with royalist sympathies. David also served on the Committee of General Security, which organized the arrests and orders of executions during the ReignOfTerror. In all, David's signature adorns the death warrants of at least 400 victims. During this period, David served the Committee by providing cartoons that caricatured the Republic's enemies, he and his students also worked full time in the Louvre Museum which housed his atelier. His most prominent involvement was Robespierre's Festival of the Supreme Being, the largest and most spectacular(and most controversial) of all Republican Festivals. His admiration for him was so fierce that on the day before Robespierre's downfall he told him loudly, "I will follow you, if you drink Hemlock"[[note]]An allusion to Socrates' death by poisoning via hemlock[[/note]]. After his hero's downfall, David was arrested for several months during which he painted the famous self-portrait above, showing his disillusionment as well as satisfaction in having survived the bloody phase of the Revolution. David publicly abjured Robespierre and in the post-Thermidor period struggled since he had so spectacularly burnt his bridges by casting his lot against the royalists and moderates.

David's rescue arrived in the form of UsefulNotes/NapoleonBonaparte. David was fascinated by the General's Meditteranean appearance and started work on several works that built his legend

'''Jacques-Louis David''' (1748-1825) was the most prominent and influential painter of his age. His works were prominent in the emerging Neo-Classical style that enveloped the late 18th Century. He is famous for his brilliant portraits and especially his works in the genre of "history painting" which he single-handedly changed forever. David is also famous, and controversial, for being the first artist who engaged his work in the service of political causes. His work was defiantly pro-Revolutionary, it was intended to be propaganda for the Republic, and later, the Empire. His prolific output, and the power of his best work is such that his images, more than chronicles or historical accounts, provides the most endearing chronicle of the revolutionary mentality and philosophy.