Jacques Louis David, pictures: description and photo

The artist, who in his works reflected all stages of the political life of France, was also a bright public figure actively participating in the revolutionary movement. The founder of neoclassicism was sensitive to all the changes taking place in society, and the direction in the painting, which he laid, continued to develop new generations of masters.

Brief biography of the creator

The great Jacques Louis David, whose paintings brought him fame, was born in Paris in 1748. At the age of 18 he entered the Academy of Arts, where his mentor was Joseph Marie Vien - a famous painter at that time, unfairly now forgotten. He instills in a young man a love of classicism and rococo and demands the achievement of "truth and greatness" in works. David, carefully studying the work of Michelangelo and Raphael, dreams of being in Italy to improve his skills in the cradle of Renaissance art. Awarded as the best pupil of the Academy, the young artist in 1775 went to a country with a rich culture.

In Italy, he communicates with lovers of antiquity who introduce him to great masterpieces, and the admired painter, worshiping the talent of genius sculptors and artists, admits that "from his eyes it was as if he were asleep." Jacques Louis does not try to imitate the works of ancient masters, but seeks his own way: "I understand how imperfect my style is, and I'm ready to go a long way to get closer to the truth. I need to strive for Raphael's level. "

Artist and revolutionary

Returning to France, critically evaluating his work, Jacques Louis David, whose paintings cause controversial judgments in society, actively participates in the revolutionary movement. He adjoins the radical Robespierre and Marat, votes for the death of King Louis XVI, and after the Thermidorian coup he ends up in prison for his views.

When Napoleon comes to power, the former revolutionary takes an active part in political life and becomes an ardent admirer of the emperor making him the first artist of France and a court painter. After the overthrow of Bonaparte, Jacques Louis flees to Brussels, where he dies in 1825, leaving behind about 500 pupils.

Expression of the author's views

The art of the creator evolved along with his style and expressed the aesthetic views of the artist. He conveyed in his paintings the essence of the ideals of Ancient Rome and Greece, narrating about self-sacrifice and virtue. The artist refused from complex foreshortenings, an excess of distractions from the essence of the work of details and a picturesque background. As if putting his characters on the stage, the famous Jacques Louis David directed them to the bright light.

Pictures, whose ideas for a long time nurtured by the creator, appeared in silence and peace, far from human fuss. All antique images were not detached characters for the painter, and the choice of subjects did not submit to fashion trends.

The work that has become a turning point in the work of the master

It is interesting to talk about canvases, the creator of which personally participated in the revolutionary actions, and in his works one can see not only the ideological substantiation of the events taking place, but also the sacrifice that the rebels paid. What did you want to tell us about the overthrow of the old foundations of Jacques Louis David?

The picture "Horatius Oath" appeared in 1784 and laid the foundation for a new style - revolutionary classicism. It brought unprecedented success to the author, who uses a variety of techniques characteristic of the direction.

Prehistory of the bloody battle

The artist tells about what preceded the historic battle between the brothers Horace from Rome and the Curia from Alba Longa - losing its influence of the main city of the Italian Union.

Two settlements fought for leadership, but such strife could not last long. According to historians, the city-winner was to be determined after the decisive battle of valiant soldiers. In a bloody battle, one of the Horatian brothers remained alive, and Alba Longa obeyed all the requirements of Rome. Learning about the historic battle, decided to convey the sense of patriotism of young people, Jacques Louis David.

"Oath of Horace": description of the picture

The author captures the very moment when the father blesses his children in a fatal battle, holding out swords to them. Three brothers, whose thoughts are clear of doubts and contradictions, swear to protect their homeland. They realize that they can perish, but join the battle, believing in the triumph of justice. It is interesting that the opponents of the Romans are their children's friends, but this fact did not prevent Horace from dealing with them. The great genius Jacques Louis David, whose description of the paintings makes it clear to the viewer what an incredible talent he possessed, to the right of the courageous warriors portrayed a group of mourning women who understand the inevitability of the loss of close people.

The mother of the glorious heroes gently embraces her grandchildren, then the sister of the brothers sits - the bride of one of the Albanians, who bent her head towards the sister of the opponents - the wife of one of the Horatians. The artist showed not only readiness for self-sacrifice, but also personal experiences of desperate women. If the brothers and father are portrayed as the main characters, then the mother and sisters are secondary characters, complementing the composition.

In the background, Jacques Louis David, whose paintings reflect the values of the Enlightenment, placed three arches corresponding to groups of figures of brothers, women and father, giving weapons to his sons.

The main characters are directed by the light to show their importance, and the background of the picture is tinted, so as not to distract attention from the brothers ready for battle. Strong emotions are shown by suffering women, and strict men only fulfill their duty.

Canvas, strengthening the spirit of man

The line of heroic classicism was continued by the painter's new work, which appeared in 1787. It is necessary to tell about the philosopher unfairly sentenced to death before making a description of the painting "The Death of Socrates". Jacques Louis David was interested in the fate of the ancient Greek hero who drank poison with an unknown composition. The philosopher, who made a lot of enemies and made the decision to put up with fate, was accused of "disrespecting the gods".

On the canvas, Socrates addresses his students with a farewell word. One hand is lifted up, and the other is pulled behind a vessel with poison, but does not touch it. And this gesture is considered a key gesture, it creates the impression of a stopped time and declares the immortality of the human spirit, as the teacher, carried away by his speech, forgets that he has very little left to live on.

The solemnity of the stage is attached to the characters, in movements and faces of which the special greatness is read, and also their arrangement along the front plane of the grandiose canvas, called the genius. On the eve of the revolution, Jacques Louis David, whose paintings make everyone think about the eternal, tried to strengthen the spirit of the French with the example of the incredible firmness of Socrates, who accepts death.

New time - a new style

The artist wrote not only paintings on historical subjects, he created a huge number of portraits, which are stored in various museums. The ancestor of the new trend in art gave a unique skill to his numerous students, neoclassical style really quickly went out of fashion. After the overthrow of Napoleon, he was too reminiscent of the bloody events that occurred in the history of France. He was succeeded by a softer, in keeping with the tastes of the new authorities, the style of David's disciple, Jean Auguste Ingres.

In this article, we reviewed the biography and the main paintings of Jacques Louis David (with the names of the recognized genius there were no problems - they clearly convey the essence of each work). One can only admire the unique talent of a genius whose workshop has become the real cradle of French art.