Jacques-Louis David

Biography

Jacques-Louis David was born on August 30, 1748, in Paris. He became a distinguished French painter, draftsman, and advocate of the Neoclassical style. David was a central figure among Parisian artists during the late Ancien Régime, the Revolution, and the First Empire. He held the position of academician at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and was a member of the Institute of France in the painting class. In January 1794, he served as president of the National Convention of the French Republic, reflecting his active political engagement. David's artistic work spanned historical and religious painting, portraiture, allegory, and landscape. Notable works include The Coronation of Napoleon, The Death of Marat, Napoleon Crossing the Saint-Bernard Pass, The Oath of the Horatii, and the portrait Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier and his Wife. In addition to his artistic career, he was also an architectural draftsman and politician. Jacques-Louis David died on December 29, 1825, in Brussels.