Jacques-Louis David

Jacques-Louis David was a French painter born on August 30, 1748, and he died on December 29, 1825. He was a central figure in the Neoclassical movement, which sought to revive the classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. David's work is characterized by its clarity of form, sober colors, and strong emphasis on moral virtue, as seen in his iconic paintings such as "The Oath of the Horatii" and "The Death of Socrates." His career was closely intertwined with the political upheavals of his time; he was an active supporter of the French Revolution and later became the court painter to Napoleon Bonaparte. David's influence extended beyond his own work, as he mentored a generation of artists who continued to propagate the Neoclassical style. His legacy is marked by his ability to blend political ideology with artistic expression, making him a pivotal figure in the history of Western art.