Patrick Bade
David and the Art of Revolution
Summary
Patrick Bade discusses the life and work of Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825), a French painter in the Neoclassical style, considered to be the preeminent painter of the era. In the 1780s, his cerebral brand of history painting marked a change in taste away from Rococo frivolity toward classical austerity, severity, and heightened feeling, which harmonized with the moral climate of the final years of the Ancien Régime.
Patrick Bade
Patrick Bade is a historian, writer, and broadcaster. He studied at UCL and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He was a senior lecturer at Christie’s Education for many years and has worked for the Art Fund, Royal Opera House, National Gallery, and V&A. He has published on 19th- and early 20th-century paintings and historical vocal recordings. His latest book is Music Wars: 1937–1945.
Really, no, of course the Death of Marat is actually in Brussels. There is a very beautiful portrait by David in the National Gallery but it was the first painting by David ever to enter a British public collection. And I think it’s because the British had a real horror of him because, he’d signed the death warrant of Louis the 16th. There’s a great portrait of David, of Napoleon in Washington National Gallery and there’s one in Vienna. But yes, probably the most of the famous ones are in the Louvre.