Jacques-Louis David, a true artist of the Enlightenment
Jacques-Louis David, regarded as an artsitic leader of his epoch, had a productive career and a continual artistic evolution characterized by innovation through the different regimes he lived through during nearly five decades : the ancient regime, Revolution, Republic, Directory, Consulate, Empire and the French Restoration.
The young Jacques-Louis David completed his eduction at the French academy in Paris and Rome in the 1770s. His teacher was Vien, a major proponent of the neoclassical style. The first artworks of David were in the late Roccoco style but after discovering Rome his discovery of ancient art quickly changed his style which became deeply influenced by sculpture. In the 1780s he came back to France and quickly became a prominent artist known mainly for his monumental and heroic paintings depicting antique subjects based on strong coprporal communication. His work brought attention at the Salon Exhibitions in Paris in the early 1780s where the public got impressed by the imposing physical figures depicted by the artist. Jacques-Louis David shaked deeply the convention by deciding to go against the restrictions regarding the choice of subjects, styles, techniques imposed by the Louis XIV insitution.
Jacques-Louis David
Early exploration, study and final painting of The Death of Socrates, 1787
© MET Museum
Serving as a deputy of the National convention from 1792 to 1794, the artist would quickly be involved in politics and therefore become way more than just an artistic figure. When Napoleon rose to power David got many commissions from the Empire and started a very productive artistic period. Napoleon appointed him as his first painter and used his art to shape an iconic image of the Emperor displayed and broadcasted not only in France but in the whole world. He painted contemporary history scenes as well as brillants portraits such as Coronation of Napoleon (1805-1807) or the Distribution of the Eagles (1810) who are among his most famous artworks still to this day.
However, Jacques-Louis David is not only a great artist but also a devoted teacher deeply involved in abolishing the Royal Academy of painting and sculpture from 1793. He aimed to broke the art education mold which consisted at the time to only train artists to follow their masters and copy their styles. He replaced this institution with a more democratic one known today as Ecole des Beaux-Arts which pushes for a more free and creative approach to art. He trained in his workshop the first generation of romantic painters and sculptors including Gros, Ingres, Girodet, David d’Angers, Rude and had a notable influence on other notable artists such as Delacroix or Géricault. This radical and true pioneer artist is today considered to be the father of the modern school of art.
Jacques Louis David
Detail of the Sacre de l'empereur Napoléon et couronnement de l'impératrice Joséphine
Oil on painting
Paris, musée du Louvre
© RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre)
Jacques-Louis David considered himself not only as an artist but as philosophical painter who believed painting should raise debate. The Death Of Socrats painted in 1787 is one of this most brilliant example showing his strong interest for philosophy which was for him, just as literature and history, a deep source of inspiration. This work depicts Socrats, the embodiment of Enlightenment symbol figure who died for his ideas and principles. Marat assassinated in his bathtub is also among his most admired painting who represent a tragic page from Shakespeare. This scene bears a deep intensity, inspiring a feeling of terror for the viewer of this artwork.
Jacques-Louis David
The Death of Marat, 1800
Oil on canvas
© Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium
Master portraitist, this great dramatic effect can also be found in his numerous portraits where he captured the psychological subtleties of his characters and kept a very fine attention to details. Lavosier and his wife (1788) is among his most sublime portraits representing the Enlightenment couple. The scientist seats at his desk with his instruments surrounding him and his spouse, an artist, serving as a muse. This portrait symbolizes the wedding between the arts and sciences.
In spite of his sometimes difficult relationship with the Emporor, he remained loyal to him. After Napoleon’s fall, the Bourbon monarchy was restored and Jacques-Louis David was exiled to Brussels like many who had voted the death of Louis XVI. He spent the last decade of his life in Belgium, from 1816 until 1825, experimenting monumental mythological compositions.
Jacques Louis David
Antoine Laurent Lavoisier and Marie Anne Lavoisier, 1788
© MET Museum
Finally, Jacques-Louis David didn’t only had a huge impact on the artistic evolution and the art education but he also changed the way people expericenced art. Indeed, he was very concerned by the conditions of the viewer of his artworks and was one of the first French artist to organize private exhibitions with adminission fees. This would help viewers to have a privileged access to his art and enable them to take their time to observe all the details and inspirations he had put into his painting.