Jacques-Louis David Research Paper

In August 30, 1748, a young french neoclassicist painter names Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris, Kingdom of France. Jacques- Louis was an active supporter of the French Revolution and was imprisoned after the fall of his friend Maximilien Robespierre’s fall from power. Jacques- Louis David was frequently involved with the politics of France, and utilized his painting abilities to illustrate strong opinions in regards to the political regimes. During this time, he developed an empire style. After Napoleon’s fall from Imperial power, David exiled himself to Brussels. David’s large aggregate of pupils made him the strongest in French art of the early 19th century.
In his early life, Jacques- Louis David lived with his prosperous family. At the age of 9, David’s father was killed in a duel and he was left to live with his better-off architect uncles. He then attended in the College des Quatre-Nations University of Paris. He wasn’t quite the …show more content…
Royal Academy didn’t appreciate his success, especially since two of his painting were displayed in Salon as of 1781. David was asked to marry Marguerite Charlotte by the contractor of the King’s buildings, M. Pecoul. This marriage brought him money and four children. Later, he was commissioned by the government to paint “Horace defended by his Father” which David decided to have his wealthy Father-in-law to provide the money for the trip to Rome and took his wife and three of his students. In Rome, David painted his famous Oath of the Horatii (1784), the painting references the issue of gender roles and greatly contrasts masculine virility and disciplined men by swooning females. Oath of the Horatii and The Tennis Court Oath stress the importance of masculine self-sacrifice for one’s country and patriotism, and the Distribution of Eagles would suggest self-sacrifice for one’s Emperor (Napoleon) and the importance of battlefield