The Impact Of Graphic Art On The — страница 2

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constituted. This moment was seen by most people as the moment that the Revolution began and therefore should be immortalized. David later became a member of the National Convention, France’s new representative body, and was appointed to the Committee for Public Safety, which was responsible for suppressing political dissent during the Reign of Terror. In this position, David signed the death warrants of hundreds of people, including Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. David’s only credentials were his works of art. He had no experience in government, business, or any related field. Clearly, Revolutionary leaders such as Robespierre (who was very close to David) felt David’s art was an important enough contribution to include him in the government. It was his work that

re-established David’s fortunes and brought him to the attention of Napoleon, who appointed him his official painter. David became an ardent supporter of Napoleon and retained under him the dominant social and artistic position which he had previously held. In the early1800’s he painted a series of pictures glorifying the exploits of the Emperor, among them one of the most famous portraits of Napoleon: Napoleon Crossing the Alps (1800) David’s art of the early and middle 1780’s provided the necessary mental preparation needed for the French Revolution to take place. He showed the ordinary person the importance of individuality and the role a single man may play in history. The writings of the Enlightenment had been in existence for forty years, but it was not until an

artist graphically depicted the ideals necessary for revolution to take place that the french commoners realised that they are just as important as the emperors and saints. This new idea about the ordinary people’s place in the world and its graphic depiction by David were one of the crucial points in the preparation of France for a revolution. SOURCES USED “French Revolution” Britannica Online. “David, Jacques-Louis” Britannica Online. Web Museum, Paris – Jaques-Louis David CGFA – Jaques-Louis David