Jacques-Louis David
Jacques-Louis David was born on the 30th of August 1748 into a prosperous family in Paris. When he was about nine years old, his father died in a duel. His mother left him with well-off architect uncles who provided an excellent education at the Collège des Quatre-Nations. He never became a good student because a facial tumor impeded his speech. He covered his notebooks with drawings and once said that he hid behind the instructor's chair to draw for the duration of class. The tumor caused him difficulty eating or speaking since he could not pronounce some consonants like the letter 'r'. This physical condition marked his early life and shaped his solitary focus on art.
David made three consecutive attempts to win the prestigious Rome Prize from the Royal Academy. Each failure allegedly contributed to his lifelong grudge against the institution. After his second loss in 1772, he went on a hunger strike lasting two and a half days before faculty encouraged him to continue painting. He resumed studies with great zeal but failed again the following year. Finally, in 1774, he won the prize with his painting Erasistratus Discovering the Cause of Antiochus' Disease. In October 1775, he journeyed to Italy with his mentor Joseph-Marie Vien. While there, he filled twelve sketchbooks with drawings used as model books for the rest of his life. He studied works by Poussin, Caravaggio, and Raphael during this period.
In 1784, David painted Oath of the Horatii which became a central focus of republican ideals. The painting shows three sons positioned in compliance with their father while women appear smaller and physically isolated. The masculine virility displayed by men's rigid stances contrasts sharply with the slouching female softness. This work referenced Enlightenment values while alluding to Rousseau's social contract. Later, he exhibited Death of Socrates at the Salon of 1787. Critics described it as perfect in every sense after ten visits. Denis Diderot said it looked like a copy from an ancient bas-relief. The painting depicted Socrates strong and calm discussing immortality while surrounded by grieving friends.
David voted for the execution of Louis XVI on the 21st of January 1793. He earned the nickname ferocious terrorist among his peers. When Robespierre was arrested, David yelled that if his friend drank hemlock, he would drink it too. He organized revolutionary festivals including one where Hercules symbolized collective popular power against monarchy. On the 13th of July 1793, Marat was assassinated by Charlotte Corday who hid a knife in her clothing. David painted The Death of Marat showing the journalist's body placed upon a Roman bed. The wound was displayed and his right arm extended holding the pen used to defend the Republic. The corpse began to putrefy so water and vinegar were sprinkled periodically before the funeral on the evening of the 16th of July.
After Napoleon became First Consul in 1799, he commissioned David to paint his crossing of the Alps. Although Napoleon crossed on a mule, he requested to be portrayed calm upon a fiery steed. David complied with Napoleon Crossing the Saint-Bernard Pass. In 1804, he created The Coronation of Napoleon which took two years to complete. David had plans of Notre Dame delivered and participants posed individually though never the Emperor himself. Pope Pius VII came to sit for the painting and blessed David. Napoleon visited the canvas for an hour and said David I salute you. For this work, David received twenty-four thousand Francs. He later became Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1803 and promoted to Officier in 1808.
When the Bourbons returned to power, David faced proscription as a former regicide. Louis XVIII offered him amnesty and court painter position but David refused self-exile in Brussels. There he trained artists like François-Joseph Navez and painted Cupid and Psyche. From 1822 to 1824, he created Mars Being Disarmed by Venus and the Three Graces. In December 1823, he wrote that this was his last picture and he would put his seventy-five-year-old date on it. The exhibition drew over ten thousand visitors and earned more than ten thousand francs after costs. A stroke in spring 1825 disfigured his face and slurred his speech yet he remained in full command of artistic faculties until death.
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Common questions
When was Jacques-Louis David born and where did he grow up?
Jacques-Louis David was born on the 30th of August 1748 in Paris. He grew up with well-off architect uncles after his father died in a duel when he was about nine years old.
How many times did Jacques-Louis David fail to win the Rome Prize before succeeding?
Jacques-Louis David failed three consecutive attempts to win the prestigious Rome Prize from the Royal Academy. He finally won the prize in 1774 with his painting Erasistratus Discovering the Cause of Antiochus' Disease.
Why did Jacques-Louis David vote for the execution of Louis XVI?
Jacques-Louis David voted for the execution of Louis XVI on the 21st of January 1793 as part of his revolutionary activities. His peers nicknamed him ferocious terrorist due to this political stance and his support for Robespierre.
What specific details are shown in The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David?
The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David shows the journalist's body placed upon a Roman bed with his right arm extended holding the pen used to defend the Republic. The wound is displayed while water and vinegar were sprinkled periodically to prevent putrefaction before the funeral on the evening of the 16th of July.
How much money did Jacques-Louis David receive for The Coronation of Napoleon?
Jacques-Louis David received twenty-four thousand Francs for The Coronation of Napoleon which took two years to complete. He later became Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1803 and promoted to Officier in 1808.