Jacques-Louis David (30 August 1748 - 29 December 1825) was a French neoclassical painter, considered the pre-eminent artist of his time. He was a member of the French Academy and counted among his many pupils Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, who eventually became his rival.
Born into a prosperous Parisian family, David began his artistic training at an early age, studying first with Joseph-Marie Vien and then with Nicolas-Guy Brenet. He entered the Académie in 1766 and won the Prix de Rome in 1774, although he never travelled... Voir plus >
Jacques-Louis David (30 August 1748 - 29 December 1825) was a French neoclassical painter, considered the pre-eminent artist of his time. He was a member of the French Academy and counted among his many pupils Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, who eventually became his rival.
Born into a prosperous Parisian family, David began his artistic training at an early age, studying first with Joseph-Marie Vien and then with Nicolas-Guy Brenet. He entered the Académie in 1766 and won the Prix de Rome in 1774, although he never travelled to Italy. An early proponent of the neoclassical style, David became known for his history paintings, which depict scenes from classical antiquity and the French Revolution. His most famous work, The Death of Socrates (1787), is considered one of the greatest paintings of all time.
David's last years were marked by political unrest and personal tragedy. After the Bourbon Restoration he returned to favour and worked on several important commissions, but his mental health deteriorated and he was plagued by delusions. He committed suicide in 1825.
David's work had a profound influence on the development of French painting. His emphasis on line and detail had a major impact on Ingres, while his obvious ability to evoke emotion and tell a story was an inspiration to later artists such as Eugène Delacroix. Paul Cézanne recognised the importance of David's work and adopted many of his techniques.
What are Jacques-Louis David's most famous paintings?
Jacques-Louis David's most famous paintings are the "Death of Socrates" and the "Lictors bringing Brutus the heads of his sons". Other notable works include The Oath of the Horatii, The Intervention of the Sabines and Napoleon Crossing the Alps.
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