Art in Revolutionary France

Monarchy of King Louis and Marie Antoinette

1774- 92 - Neoclassicism

First Revolution

1789-99 - Neoclassicism

First French Republic

1792-1804 - Neoclassicism

First French Empire under Napoleon

1804-15 - Neoclassicism

Bourbon Restoration

1814-30 - Romanticism

2nd revolution

1830 - Romanticism

July Monarchy

1830-48 Romanticism

3rd Revolution

1848 - Realism

2nd French Republic

1848-52 - Realism

Second French Empire

1852-1870 - Realism

the ancien regime

political/ social system pre first revolution in 89

Le Brun context

reputation grew in her 20s, having a close relationship with Marie Antoinette. The first official royal portraitist and admitted to the French RA. Flees France during revolution.

Le Brun notable works

Marie Antoinette in Court Dress 1778

Self portrait 1782

Marie Antoinette and her Children 1787

How does Le Brun Present Marie Antoinette?

Sensitive and kind, but assured in authority

Purpose of Le Brun portraits

a large dislike for Antoinette at the time due to bourgeoisie, trying to salvage reputation

Jacques-Louis David context

learned in Rome before returning to France, more linked with the revolution and Robespierre

Oath of the Horatii (revolution context)

David, 1784-5: narrative about allegiances

pre-revolution: willingness to die for the monarchy

post: civic duty and sacrifice for country

French Neo-Classicism:

revival of classical influence at the end of the 18th century, control, restraint and order

Role of prints during the revolution

spreading rumours and running commentary. Example: Family of pigs brought back to the pigsty

David’s politicised works

‘So that the impure blood may water our fields’ 1793

Marie Antoinette on the way to the guillotine

Death of Marat

David 1793: assassination of Marat by Charlotte Corday, leader of the montgnard faction, who was blamed for the September massacres. The letter says let me into your home, forgiveness = downfall.

presents him as kind, his perception in history.

David and the First French Republic

tactically shifts his alliance to Napoleon, commissioned works eg. Napoleon Crossing the alps in 1800

The coronation of Napoleon I and Empress Josephine in Notre Dame

David, 1805-7:

• 10m wide and took 2 years.

• He became the official painter.

• Within sketchbooks grids transfer models to canvas.

• Changed Napoleon crowning himself to crowning Josephine to separate from previous monarchy

David During Bourbon Restoration

exiles himself to Brussels

Henri IV Recieving the Attributes of Monarchy from the Dying Henry III

Francois Buffet, 1814: Legitimising the role of the new king and succession

Delacroix characteristics

very different to David, drama and movement, hallmark of romanticism.

Massacre at Chios

Delacroix 1824:

• Greek revolutionaries fighting Ottoman Empire for independence.

• greek figures and stereotypical clothing to identify

• important moment in his career, first time ‘romantic was used’

• shown in opposition to David’s Leonidas at Thermopylae

Death of Sardanapalus

Delacroix 1827:

• in contrast to the August Ingres Apotheosis of Homer

• dramatic, inviting more contrast between Neo-classicism and romanticism

• both described themselves as classicism

• however, Delacroix = revolutionary

Liberty Leading the People

Delacroix 1830:

• figures of all social class and ages

• displaying this revolution is about collective freedom

• flag designed by David during first revolution

• liberty is a concept, otherwise too controversial

Alphonse de Lamartine Rejects the Red Flag in Front of the Town Hall of Paris

Philippoteaux 1848: rejecting the red flag, both bloodshed of revolution and socialism, in favour of peace

Courbet context

rise in second French Republic, revolutionary style, not well received and so built his own pavilion. Beginning of realism

The Stonebreakers

Courbet 1849:

• heavily criticised

• two men at work, huge 2.5m canvas

• paint applied thick and unblended

Realism

emphasising realities and therefore often has political undertones

The painter’s studio

Courbet 1854-55:

• all classes of people

• compare to ‘liberty leading the people’ that had to be allegorical

• this is a real version of that, and therefore is controversial