1. Creating the Truth Propaganda and the Public Press

2. Break from the Past The French Revolution started as an upper class protest, and degenerated into a working class revolution before the middle class exerted control. In this process the leaders of the revolution realised that the power of the people was something that could and should be controlled. The Jacobin leaders were the first to exploit this through a public press. However, as only about 30% of European society was literate, the print medium was not useful – but art was.

3. Jacque-Louis David, 1748-1825 David was a leader of a new painting movement in France called Neo – Classicism. They explored contemporary realities and issues using classical imagery. “I want my works to have the character of antiquity to the point that if it were possible for an Athenian to return to the world, he would think them to be by a Greek painter." He was from a good family and yet embraced the revolution from the out start. He joined the Jacobins and became friends of Robespierre and Murat. In 1792 he was elected to the revolutionary government

4. Classical Imagery The Intervention of the Sabine Women (1799) What major event/s of the Revolution do you think David wanted you relate this painting to?

5. The Death of Socrates, 1787

6. Serving the State The Death of Marat (1793) He was a friend of David. http://www.pbs.org/wnet /powerofart/view.php?p age=exploremarat http://www.pbs.org/wnet /powerofart/view.php?p age=exploremarat

7. Enter Napoleon David survived the purge of the Jacobins and the rise of Napoleon. Napoleon saw his work and supported him as his official artist. David recorded his career well.

8. Coronation of Napoleon, (1806),

10. Indoctrination of the unwashed Because relatively few people could read or write, images had to be clear and convey as much as possible. In the French revolutionary period there were a few standards.

11. Below: the Liberty Tree Left: Sans Culotte

12. Right: The Liberty Cap was the most ubiquitous symbol. The National figure – Marianne wears one.

13. For the Masses The artists like David were popular through all of society, but they did not always understand the message. How many 18 th century citizens would know the early Greek and Roman legends. To fill the void, there was base humour. It is often rude, if not at times pornographic. But the messages were obvious and often used humour. While the French were initial leaders in propaganda, the British were quick to join in.

15. The Four Corners Game In the previous slide the British, Prussians, Russians and Austrians have hemmed in Napoleon who can only sit and ….

17. George III This one leaves nothing to chance in terms of interpretation.

18. Your Assignment One a sheet of paper create with a partner, a collage of symbols that you find convey meaning and message without the use of words. The messages can be positive or negative. Do not use commercial symbols like Be prepared to explain what these messages say and why are they effective.