Jacques-Louis David

I am going to take a break from history and politics to focus on something uplifting. Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) had an amazing life. He is probably the only person to thrive under the four distinct regimes France went through in a few years. He was popular before the Revolution, was highly prominent during the initial republic and terror. Not only does get to claim the title of being one of the few friends Robespierre didn't kill but probably the only surviving friend of his not to be executed with him. He was Napoleon's court painter and after the monarchy was restored he was offered a job working for the new King, which he turned down for ideological reasons, preferring self imposed exile.

Enough with the bio, now its time for the Art. I like David's works on stories from mythology. They each exists to teach a moral lesson and as time goes on his beliefs shift so does the overall messages of the paintings. First he extolls the male virtue of selfless service to the Patri or state.

The Oath of the Horatii:

As related in Livy's Ab Urbe Condita during the early days of Rome triplets fought another set of triplets from Alba Longa to decide the outcome of the war. Two of the brothers are killed but the last one wins the fight and saves Rome from enslavement.

The Death of Socrates:

As related in Plato's Apology Socrates accepts his death sentence and ignores pleas from friends to escape and willingly drinks poison thinking that death will be an adventure because he's never died before. This is after he insulted the jury repeatedly during the trial.

The Lictors bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons:

According to Livy, Brutus was instrumental in overthrowing the last King of Rome and establishing the Republic. When he finds out his own sons are in collusion with the former King to overthrow the Republic Brutus chooses loyalty to the state and has them executed.

All of these are about male virtue and the glorification thereof. Two of them come from Livy, who though a historian, saw history's usefulness as to provide moral instruction, namely absolute loyalty to the state above personal obligations. These paintings are misogynist in that the women are all crying in a dark corner, lacking virtue.

Helen and Paris:

From Greek myth David depicts Helen, the woman that caused the destruction of Troy. Paris is depicted as an innocent boy and David does a wonderful job of depicting Helen as way more of a prostitute than even completely nude women.

Post-Robespierre David spent some time in jail with only his wife to visit him. His love for his wife and her womanly virtue grew considerably and when he got out and started painting he reversed his message. Women's status as peacemakers curbing men's destructive tendencies, even at personal risk, is depicted.

The Sabine Women:

Back to Livy, in the early days of Rome their were lots of men of warrior age but almost no women. Seeing a solution they attacked the Sabine tribe and took their women. A year later the Sabine men came to get their women back. As the battle heated up the women ran into the middle to stop their kinsmen and former husbands from killing their new husbands.

Mars disarmed by Venus:

This is my favorite painting and no, it has nothing to do with the fact that everyone is naked. I really like the sharp and crisp colors. The subject is what is most beautiful about it. Mars, God of War is handing over his weapons because of the love of Veneus, Goddess of Love. He doesn't surrender completely and keeps his spear but gives up his warring days to "make love, not war." This expresses the hope that eventually love will conquer war with virtuous women leading the way.

Should I keep my day job or become an art critic?