Jacques-Louis David Giclée Fine Art Prints 2 of 3

Jacques Louis David (1748-1825) witnessed an age torn by revolutions. He was inspired by the great models of antiquity, but in his history paintings he sought to extol the civic virtues and moral values of his contemporaries. With his large-scale works charged with powerful breath and his mastery of the art of drawing, he would influence all artists of his time.

David honed his skills in the studio of Joseph-Marie Vien and, after four attempts at the Prix de Rome competition, finally won it and spent five years in the Eternal City. He returned to Paris in 1780 and became a member of the Academy of Painting and Sculpture. In 1784 he went to Rome again to create "The Oath of the Horatii". This ancient drama, rendered with sweep, rigorous composition and monumental characters, established him as the undisputed master of neoclassicism. The lesson is exemplary: the artist exalts heroism, bravery and patriotism.

David participated in the revolution at Robespierre's side and put his art at the service of the nation capturing historical events - "The Death of Marat" (1793). He also painted portraits of figures of high society, of his contemporaries, distinguished by subtle insight. After Robespierre's arrest in 1794, David was detained. Despite everything, he did not stop creating and conceived the painting The Abduction of "The Sabine Women", completed in 1799.

Napoleon Bonaparte also offered him his patronage in 1804 and proclaimed him his first artist. The coronation of the Emperor was immortalised by the artist in a canvas with a spectacular mise-en-scene (The Coronation of the Emperor Napoleon, 2 December 1804). After the fall of the ruler, David left France for Belgium and opened a studio in Brussels.