The thesis that Simon Schama had in the documentary was:
When art is viewed just as art, its beauty is seen, but when art is invovled in politics, the artist's true, corrupt intentions are brought out.
When art is viewed just as art, its beauty is seen, but when art is invovled in politics, the artist's true, corrupt intentions are brought out.
Jaques Louis David was a brilliant artist, but the main purpose his art served as propoganda before, during, and after the French Revolution. One prime example of this is his painting of Napolean at the St. Bernard's Pass. This was made in 1801, twelve years after the revolution. but a short two years into Napoleon's reign.
This painting's purpose was to boost Napoleon's image to the people of France, to show how good of a person he was and how he would improve France. Since Napoleon had just come to power, some people might have been skeptical, and this painting was targeted toward those skeptics and win them onto Napoleon's side. Napoleon is shown on his horse, which is standing on its hind legs, a pose many war heroes are shown in. In the background, there are storm clouds, which could symbolize evils that Napoleon would "fight." Also, there some other people dressed like Napoleon, but struggling to stay alive. With this, David is sending the image of how Napoleon is better than comparable rulers, or any people who try to oppose him. In this painting, Napoleon is in a confident, and triumphant pose. Jaques Louis David was Napoleon's personal artist/propogandist so making Napoleon look good was basically his job.
In this painting, David is saying that Napoleon is the one who will rid France of its problems.
This painting's purpose was to boost Napoleon's image to the people of France, to show how good of a person he was and how he would improve France. Since Napoleon had just come to power, some people might have been skeptical, and this painting was targeted toward those skeptics and win them onto Napoleon's side. Napoleon is shown on his horse, which is standing on its hind legs, a pose many war heroes are shown in. In the background, there are storm clouds, which could symbolize evils that Napoleon would "fight." Also, there some other people dressed like Napoleon, but struggling to stay alive. With this, David is sending the image of how Napoleon is better than comparable rulers, or any people who try to oppose him. In this painting, Napoleon is in a confident, and triumphant pose. Jaques Louis David was Napoleon's personal artist/propogandist so making Napoleon look good was basically his job.
In this painting, David is saying that Napoleon is the one who will rid France of its problems.
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