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Introduction to the Artist Jacques Louis David By ArtHistory.net

Born in Paris in 1748, Jacques­Louis David is regarded as one of France’s mostinfluential painters and a staunch supporter of the Neoclassical art movement. While hispainting genius was recognized by even his critics, David led a life of controversy for hisardent support of the French Revolution, his friendship with Robespierre, and hisapproval of the executions of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Among David’s spectacularbody of work are the masterpieces The Death of Marat (1793) and The Death ofSocrates (1787).

After the age of nine David lived among his wealthy uncles. His father died in a dual andhis mother entrusted his education to his uncles who were architects. David attended theCollege des Quatre­Nations and eventually trained briefly with Francois Boucher andextensively with Joseph­Marie Vien. Upon winning the Prix de Rome in 1774, David wenton to study at the Academy in Rome. While in Rome, David cemented his preference forthe classical style that he would champion throughout his career. Soon after his returnto Paris, the king allowed David to lodge at the Louvre—a coveted privilege that did notwin David many friends among his artistic peers. Art scholars reveal that while Davidwas respected for his genius, he was also greatly disliked by other artists. David alsohad a facial tumor which sometimes made him the subject of ridicule.

David married Marguerite, the daughter of the king’s building contractor, and the pairwould eventually have four children. In 1787 David showed The Death of Socrates at theSalon. The critically praised work brought David into comparison with both Michelangeloand Raphael. David received further critical success with The Lictors Bring to Brutus theBodies of His Sons (1789) which appealed to the revolutionary fervor of the times. Asthe French Revolution kicked into full gear, David espoused the ideals of the newrepublic and embraced the revolution as evidenced by his friendship with Robespierre.Scholars are not altogether certain why David worked so fervently to destroy themonarchy. He voted in the National Convention to approve the execution of King LouisXVI. He was also instrumental in bringing change to the Royal Academy to suit theRevolution’s ideals.

David’s wife divorced him over his National Convention vote as she was a royalist;however, she later remarried him. Many of David’s friends were fervent supporters ofthe guillotine making them controversial figures prone to retaliatory attacks. In 1793David’s friend Marat was assassinated by a woman, Charlotte Corday, who was

subsequently guillotined for her crime. David immortalized his friend in his masterpieceThe Death of Marat. After the fall of Robespierre, David was jailed for his attachment tothe bloody regime. David regained favor in France with the rise of Napoleon, however.Napoleon’s admiration of David was somewhat ironic given the fact that David, duringhis connection with the Revolution’s Committee of Public Safety, actually signed thedeath warrant of Alexandre de Beauharnais—the first husband of Josephine Bonaparte.

One of David’s most famous works during the Napoleonic era was the Coronation ofNapoleon and Josephine (1807). David’s connection to Napoleon as well as his infamousactions during the French Revolution led to his self­imposed exile to Brussels after theBourbons returned to power even though Louis XVIII offered him amnesty. David, whilealready in poor health, died in Brussels after he was struck by a carriage in 1825. Othermajor works by the artist include Emmanuel –Joseph Sieyes (1817) and AndromacheMourns Hector (1783).

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