Classical Artist of the French Revolution Age

Jacques-Louis David, the leading exponent of 'Neo-Classical Art' in the era of the French Revolution, was born on August 30, 1748, in a well-to-do family of Paris. David lost his father to a violent feud when he was only nine years of age. In 1757, his mother put him in the custody of his architect uncles. David's uncles wanted him to follow their suit and be an architect. They therefore, got him enrolled in the premium College des Quatre Nations, University of Paris. He was however, inclined more towards art than anything else, and was not a good performer at school.

Against the wishes of his family, Jacques decided to take art lessons. His training began with the ace 'Rococo' painter, François Boucher, and later on by Boucher's friend, Joseph-Marie Vien, who introduced David to 'Classicism' at the famous Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. The artist won the coveted Roman fellowship prize, the Prix de Rome, in 1774, after three failed attempts, and studied at the French Academy, Rome until 1779. During his stay in Italy, Jacques-Louis got to see the Ancient Italian and Neo-classical masterpieces, including the ruins of Pompeii that completely turned him to 'Classicism.' After his stint with the academy, he returned to Paris and joined the Royal Academy, where two of his paintings were included in the Salon of 1781. His fortunes brightened when he married Marguerite Charlotte, the daughter of a wealthy contractor of royal buildings.