Images from The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era
Art has always been a useful tool for political purposes Classical art glorified leaders Medieval art promoted church objectives The art of the Renaissance served the interests of a rising merchant class
By the time of the French Revolution, painters and pamphleteers - using new technologies and riding on the vibrant culture of the Enlightenment - had the visibility to be an important influence in shaping public opinion.
What follows are some of their works that Promote the ideals of the Revolution Commemorate events of the time Comment on the excesses of the Reign of Terror and Celebrate (and reinforce) the heroic image of Napoleon
The Death of Socrates – Jacques-Louis David
King Louis XVI
The Three Estates
The Three Estates (female version)
The Estates meet
And, meanwhile, what do they find?
The Estates move
David sees it more heroically
The Three Estates - power shift
The New Motto…..
Revolutionary Philosophy
The Death of Marat – Jacques Louis David
The Runaways – Caught!
Louis goes to the scaffold
Now Improved…..
Robespierre now has control
But it’s a bit out of control
English Cartoons suggest it is
But help is on the way
The Whiff of Grapeshot
This crown…..
I’ll put it on….
Me.
Some are not so sure about this guy…
His commitment to the revolution….
Europe in 1792
Europe in 1811
The Battle of Trafalgar
Overextension
Defeat