Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) was one of the most famous French artists of his time. He is particularly well known for numerous works that reflect the ideas and values of the revolution. Born to an affluent Parisian family, the young David was an irascible and mediocre student but showed a strong aptitude for drawing and painting. At age 18 he was accepted into the Royal Academy, where his painting developed along neo-classical lines. By the outbreak of the revolution, which David fervently supported, he had become France’s leading artist. A long-standing member of the Jacobin Club, David was elected to the National Convention in 1792. During his time in the Convention David backed the execution of Louis XVI; served as a member of the Committee of Public Safety; and sat in the chair as president of the Convention. Closely aligned with Robespierre, David oversaw plans for the Festival of the Supreme Being in June 1794. He was arrested after Robespierre’s deposition but managed to escape the Thermidorian recriminations. Though he played an important political role in the revolution, David is of course better known for his artistic contributions, particularly his haunting representation of the death of Jean-Paul Marat.
Information and resources on this page are © Alpha History 2018. Content on this page may not be copied, republished or redistributed without the express permission of Alpha History. For more information please refer to our Terms of Use.