Biography of French Painter Jacques-Louis David Essay

Arguably the most successful portrait of the military powerhouse, Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David is nothing short of political propaganda. Completed in January of 1801, this oil on canvas painting depicts Napoleon as he leads his troops across the Alps in May of 1800, which lead to the defeat of the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo in June of the same year. The portrait, commissioned by the King of Spain, was to hang in the Royal Palace along with paintings of other military leaders. It is an equestrian portrait of the future Emperor of France. Though the painting depicts Napoleon leading his troops through the alps, he actually followed his troops a few days later. Nonetheless, the painting captures Napoleon’s great achievement

This document speaks to how in many ways they put Napoleon on a pedestal and how he took this view in order to gain more power. The purpose of this document is to show Napoleon as a more godly figure and to move him into the view of an absolute ruler. This helps to show how Napoleon betrayed the legacy of the French revolution by taking on an absolute

I have chosen Romanticism/ Post Impressionism, Olive Trees with yellow sky and sun, by Vincent Van Gogh; The Oxbow, by Thomas Cole, comparing it to the “Spirit Rising, by Christophe Vacher”.

The Painting I chose is called “Mixtec Culture.” And it was painted by Diego Rivera in 1942, Mexico. It’s a Fresco style painting, which is “a wall painting technique that has been used for large scale murals since ancient times” (Getlein 159). This entire painting is an homage to the culture of Mexico, specifically the Mixtec people, and that’s what I love about it. The Mixtec people were renowned for their artwork so it’s fitting that Rivera depicts a peaceful community of artists such as mask and jewelry makers. This painting celebrates the artistic culture of the Mixtec people and that theme is directly linked to the political influences of the time, “Mexican government commissioned artists to create murals about Mexico itself- the glories

Napoleon won battles in Italy and Austria early in his rule, but eventually, the French Emperor attempted to conquer other major powers in Europe. Napoleon lost major battles in Russia and Britain, and the French people’s perception of their king began to change. Document 5 shows a painting of Napoleon in 1812, during the French invasion of Russia. Napoleon is depicted very negatively: he appears to be short, almost small, overweight, and certainly not the heroic image he carried early in his rule. In Document 7, Napoleon is controlled at the hands of the Duke of Wellington, dancing like a puppet. The painting was published in 1815, the year Napoleon was officially removed from power. As Napoleon’s initial success faded, so did his

Napoleon Bonaparte is seen by historians in a variety of lights. Some judge him for his lack of mercy for those in his warpath along with his unmatched air of confidence. Others choose to see him for the leadership abilities and keen mind that fueled his remarkable triumphs as a general, commander, First Consul of France, and even emperor. Owen Connelly uses his work, The Epoch of Napoleon, to bridge the gap that other historians and authors have skimmed over, giving the reader an inside look at not only Napoleon’s military life, but also his political and personal life. Furthermore, Connelly achieves this by showing both the ruthless and heroic sides of Napoleon, including non-military details from the life of Napoleon, and lastly, including quotes from Napoleon and those that interacted with him.

This painting is 9 feet by 9 feet, oil on canvas and classified contemporary. It is based off of Jacques-Louis David’s Bonaparte Crossing the Alps at Grand-Saint-Bernard. It takes a twist on it though by replacing Napoleon Bonaparte, who is riding on a galloping horse, with an anonymous black man. The man is dressed in modern clothes: camouflage pants and jacket and Timberland boots. Jacques-Louis David’s painting made in the eighteenth century was a statement on wealth and status. It seems as if Wiley is still keeping these themes just by putting his own spin on things, showing a young African American’s experience. The painting is crafted similar to his other works, a patterned renaissance background and a realistically painted black man riding a white horse. It may be meant to show that African American’s can attain the same status as eighteenth century white men, such as Napoleon, even though they are rarely seen painted in the same way.

For example, imitating a well-known portrait of Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps by Jacques-Louis David. Whiley re-designed this portrait by substituting the figure of Napoleon with an anonymous African American model and set him against Rococo style background (A New Republic pg. 10). This In observation, this addition destroys the stereotype given to the black image and grants the viewer of similar decent, a strong sense of empowerment of who they are within the

Napoleon was born within the mid-late 18th century and ended the French Revolution in November 1799 by declaring himself the emperor of France. Napoleon’s ideals had revolutionised Europe with his democratic approach of government whilst maintaining a dictatorship, and numerous political figures at the time have applaud him for his aspiring leadership. However, Napoleon had been a controversial leader, and numerous media texts from the 18th to 21st century have declared Napoleon’s hypocrisy of his democratic ideals and promises when he overthrew the French Republic and then declared himself emperor. (Addison Anderson, 2016).[] The viewer interprets Napoleon’s actions and ideals in different perspectives, and it is important to analyse how the author or maker of the media text positions the audience to the deliberate idea of the subject or political figure.

The main piece of the coat is the seen within the center in form of a golden eagle. This eagle, similar in perch to the American Bald eagle represents Napoleon's dedication to the military regime in itself as an institution. This is evidenced by the eagle’s use as a major icon for “La Grande Armée” as installed

I have chose the painting “The Death of Sardanapalus” by Eugene Delacroix, the song “Moonlight Sonata” by Ludwig van Beethoven, and “The Death of Sardanapalus” by Lord Byron. To represent Romanticism in the 1800’s.

To add and artistic touch, David also included several of his friends and family as well as himself in the work, located in the room viewing the coronation from up above. He believed that there was no better way to show respect to those he loved than by putting them in his paining. It is important to note that while this was a sacred event in France’s history, it is not one hundred percent historically accurate because Napoleons mother is featured in the paining when in reality she has passed away prior to the crowning. A symbol in the paining are the Regalia spread throughout it. This is showing that the government of France now held the ‘Hand of justice’ after the turmoil of the revolution which Napoleon was deemed the hero

Jacques-Louis David, was an influential neoclassical painter born in the 1740’s. He was born into an affluent home in Paris, France. At an early age David’s father was slain in a duel, and was taken to his well-to-do uncles’ home where he remained for the rest of his childhood. His uncles looked that he received a prestigious education, so David went and enrolled into the University of Paris. He was reported to have never been a good student, some of which was attributed to his facial tumor, and constant sketching. Shortly after leaving the University of Paris he began studying under Joseph-Marie Vien, who was a large influence in David’s neoclassical painting style. David finally won the coveted Prix de Rome (after four attempts). The Prix

We can also see that the way that Napoleon was dressed in the painting shows that he was emperor and there was no doubt about it. On Napoleon’s head are the laurel leaves that were custom of the Roman imperial rulers to wear. This crown was a symbol of power and strength. Napoleon is

Distancing himself from those who came before him on the French intellectual scene, Jacques Derrida became one of the most well-known 20th century philosophers. His unique approach and differing ideology from his predecessors aided in his rise as an icon of modern political theory. (Encyclopedia) Derrida’s works have influenced and inspired innovative practices of numerous disciplines including art, literature, religious studies, linguistics, and of course philosophy. (Peteers) In fact much of Derrida’s work refers to the idea of purity in the domains of genetics, public policy, philosophy, and religion. (Deutscher, 2)