Oath of the Horatii by Jacques Louis David

Oath of the Horatii by Jacques Louis David

What’s the story behind the painting Oath of the Horatii by Jacques Louis David?

– Roman soldiers and a concocted salute
– Loyalty and love at war
– Strident brothers and their despairing sister

Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps

Napoleon-Leading-the-Army-over-the-Alps-kehinde wiley

What makes Kehinde Wiley’s painting Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps a masterpiece?

– Strategic opposition in casting
– War bleeds – Africa glitters gold
– The field of power reframed

Madame de Pastoret and Her Son – Jacques Louis David

Madame-de-Pastoret-and-Her-Son

Table of Contents for art blog on Madame de Pastoret and Her Son:

• Aristocrats vs. revolutionaries
• Symbols in Madame de Pastoret and Her Son
• Working mothers of the French Revolution
• Prison, exile, and a missing needle

Young Woman Drawing by Marie-Denise Villers

Young Woman Drawing - Feminist Painting of 1801 - Marie-Denise Villers

This painting, Young Woman Drawing by Marie-Denise Villers meditates on love versus art. Art wins the contest here. This piece works as a rumination on the self and identity too. That’s partly because of the subject matter. But the situation behind the work tells that story as well.

Death of Marat – Jacques-Louis David

Death-of-Marat

Death of Marat by Jacques Louis David proves that Masterpieces have baggage too. This well-known piece speaks to us from the French Revolution. Unfortunately, it doesn’t speak the truth. Marat was a friend and ally to David. So, Jacques shone a light on their shared ideals in his death portrayal painting.