The Musée du Louvre is presenting a comprehensive retrospective of Jacques-Louis David, the renowned French neoclassical painter who served as both artist and political figure during the French Revolution. The exhibition, running until January 26, 2026, features 100 works by David and marks the 200th anniversary of his death in 1825.
David's life was deeply intertwined with the tumultuous politics of his era. Having developed a close relationship with Maximilien Robespierre during the French Revolution, David became a member of the National Convention and notably voted to execute King Louis XVI. His dual role as both artist and political figure positioned him at the center of revolutionary France's most dramatic moments.
During the Reign of Terror, David immortalized revolutionary martyrs through his art, most famously capturing his friend Jean-Paul Marat in "The Death of Marat" (1793). This iconic painting depicts Marat's assassination in his bathtub, transforming a brutal political murder into a powerful piece of revolutionary propaganda. David's political loyalties during this period nearly cost him his life, bringing him dangerously close to the guillotine.
David's fortunes dramatically changed with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who fascinated the artist and appointed him First Painter to the Emperor. This prestigious position allowed David to create some of his most celebrated works, documenting Napoleon's reign through grand historical paintings. However, his political allegiances would prove costly once again.
When the Bourbon Restoration arrived in 1815, David found himself on the wrong side of history. He was subsequently exiled to Brussels, where he spent his final years until his death in 1825, exactly 200 years ago. This significant anniversary provided the perfect opportunity for the Louvre to reassess his contributions to art history.
"This anniversary was certainly an opportunity," Sébastien Allard, a curator at the Louvre, recently told ARTnews. "But more importantly our last David retrospective dates back to 1989 and was strongly tied to the bicentennial of the French Revolution. After 35 years, it is time for us to revisit his career in a new light."
The current exhibition represents the first major David retrospective at the Louvre in over three decades. Unlike the 1989 exhibition, which focused heavily on the revolutionary context, this new presentation aims to provide a more comprehensive view of David's artistic evolution and lasting influence on French art. The 100 works on display span his entire career, from his early neoclassical masterpieces to his later works created during his exile in Belgium.
