Prachi Keshap Period 4 David Art Reflection

Jacques-Louis David was a great artist from France whose artwork embodied the spirit of France at the French Revolution/Napoleonic time period. Davids career spanned the reign of Louis XVI, the French Revolution, and the reign of Napoleon. Davids paintings were a large leap away from the style of Rococo. Instead, his artwork reflected Neo-classicism. Neo-classicism is an artistic and intellectual movement during the 18th and 19th century. Often times, neo-classicism was encouraged by the rejection of Rococo, which was extremely feminine and extravagant, and used pastel colors. It was also supported by the need to understand the changes occurring in the world at the time. King Louis XVI often commissioned Jacques-Louis David to create original artwork for him and his wife, Marie Antoinette. David was a friend of Robespierre during the French Revolution. His paintings trace the events of the French Revolution. For instance, he created a work of art called The Tennis Court Oath, which was responded to in a positive way. The painting showed the National Assembly vowing to never disband until they had a Constitution. The Oath of the Horatii represents how men are extremely loyal and have patriotic tendencies. During the Napoleonic Era, David created a few pieces of art, most finished, but some not. Jacques-Louis was a great fan of Napoleon, and so he created a sketch of him in 1797, but left it unfinished. Napoleon asked David to paint The Coronation of Napoleon in Notre Dame in 1806. The original sketches were of Napoleon placing the emperors crown on his own head, but in this painting, it shows the pope blessing Napoleon.

David thought the only subject worthy of painting was that of stoicism, masculinity, and patriotism. Davids neo-classic style was a change from the Rococo style which exuded frivolity and femininity. He often painted men as being stoic and masculine and women as being womanly. The Oath of Horatii shows the men ready to defend for the sake of their king, and the women are in the corner crying. The women are shown as weak and feminine which is the essence of Rococo. In contrast, the men are shown as strong, patriotic warriors who will stop at nothing less than death to honor their king. Another painting that expressed the neo-classic style is Lictors Bringing Brutus the Bodies of His Son. Brutus is sitting in the corner with an air of stoicism around him, but is grieving none the less, which is shown by his placement in the shadows. The women, again, are crying and showing their weak nature. Napoleon loved Davids neo-classical style of painting which is reflected when he asks David to paint several paintings of himself. David painted Napoleon Crossing the Alps, which depicts Napoleon riding a stallion and making a name among the greatest of warriors. The painting itself is inaccurate as Napoleon, in actuality, rode a mule rather than a fine breed of horseflesh. The Coronation of Napoleon in Notre Dame shows the pope blessing Napoleon as he receives the throne. Again, this painting is inaccurate because Napoleon took the crown for himself without any blessing from the pope. These examples show how Napoleon used Davids widespread success to further his name in the good books and used any means of getting it. Napoleon would have wanted the people to see him as a fierce, independent, strong, and well-loved ruler. In conclusion, Jacques-Louis David was a neo-classical artist who truly embodied the spirit of the style. He showed the Rococo style as being feminine and weak, and offset that with his famous faces of stoicism. David depicted the events of the French Revolution. He was commissioned for many paintings, and created many paintings on the side as well. His works of art are one of the greatest in France.