There is no need for inferior art.
Only perfect art is allowed to exist.
David
Shed blood for the ideal,
The Revolutionary Pursuing Absolute Beauty
A muse representing neoclassicism who also served as a politician during the French Revolution, her worldly skills have even led to accusations of her being a "traitor," but she pledges her loyalty to only one ideal: her own.
Style
NeoclassicismHometown
Kingdom of France
Classics
- "Bonaparte Crossing the Alps"
- "The Coronation of Napoleon"
- "Oath of the Horatii" etc.
This is the David piece!
Bonaparte Crossing the Alps
This work depicts Napoleon Bonaparte crossing the Saint-Bernard Pass in the Alps to head towards Italy in 1800. There is an anecdote about Napoleon's request to change from riding a mule, which was a strong horse, to riding a horse instead. Incidentally, the title is "Bonaparte" because in Europe it is customary to refer to emperors by their surname before ascending to the throne and by their given name after ascending to the throne.
The rock in the lower left has ‘Bonaparte,’ ‘Hannibal,’ and ‘Charlemagne’ written on it. Hannibal and Charlemagne both crossed the Alps—heroes. It means Napoleon stands alongside them.
Year
1801
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimension
261 cm x 221 cm
Collection
Malmaison Castle Museum
（France), etc.
Who is David?
Jacques-Louis David
A leading painter of French Neoclassicism, his portrait of Napoleon, which he painted as the royal painter, is likely familiar from textbooks. His historical paintings, based on a strict classicism that even seems cold, influenced many of his students. He was also actively involved in politics and left his mark on the history of the French Revolution as a Jacobin who promoted the revolution. He died in exile in Belgium, but was not buried in France because he had supported the execution of Louis XVI.
Full Name
Jacques-Louis David
Born
August 30, 1748
Died
December 29, 1825(aged 77)