Further inaccuracies by David are evident. The appalling skin disease is not apparent. Instead we are faced with an image of a young healthy man. The old wooden crate, and the white sheet which covers his head complete with a patch, they are all aimed at drawing attention to the poverty and inglorious surroundings in which Marat lived. Furthermore the painting’s background is dull; the walls are undecorated and scant of any colour. In reality the walls of Marat’s “were decorated with elegant wallpaper and decorations to beautify the
