Jacques-Louis David - Political and Artistic Activist

   Jacques-Louis David (August 30, 1748 - December 29, 1825) was a French Neoclassical painter, whose influence impacted both the politics of the French revolution, and the art world of early 19th century France. Aligning himself with Maximilien Robespierre, a driving force in the Revolution, David used his art to create political statements, painting portraits of significant events and creating propaganda pieces for the New Republic.
   David was eventually imprisoned during the political chaos, and later released due to his wife's intervention. He became the court painter for Napoleon, painting him crossing the Alps, his coronation, and in his study.
   He greatly influenced classical painting, and his students included  Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres and Antoine-Jean Gros.
   Read David's complete biography here.

Portrait of the Artist  1794
Oil on canvas, 81 x 64 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris



The Death of Marat  1793
Oil on canvas, 162 x 128 cm
Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, Brussels

 

Napoleon at the St. Bernard Pass  1801
Oil on canvas, 246 x 231 cm
Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna



Anne-Marie-Louise Thélusson, Comtesse de Sorcy  1790
Oil on canvas, 129 x 97 cm
Neue Pinkothek, Munich