1. Intended Location: Paris, France Current Location: Belgium
Title:
The Death of Marat
Year:
1793
Artist:
Jacques-Louis David
Intended Location: Paris, France
Current Location:
Belgium
Medium: Oil on Canvas,
65in×50in

2. Jean-Paul Marat
Political fanatic and journalist of the French Revolution
Friend of David
Used his influence to condemn hundreds of people to death at the Guillotine
Described as: “persecution, consistent voice and uncanny prophetic powers”
Suffered from a terrible skin disease which caused him to itch horribly
Murdered by Charlotte Corday

3. The Death of Marat as Propaganda CONTEXT
Reality:
Marat was a radical revolutionary who was sending individuals to the guillotine without evidence
Propaganda:
Marat was a martyr of the French people: he died for the good of the people
*How do you know he is a martyr?

4. Explain the symbols on your learning guide.
The Death of Marat as Propaganda SYMBOLS
Explain the symbols on your learning guide.
Box
Pen (Quill)
Knife
Shroud
Wound
Skin
Letter in left hand
Letter & Money (on box)
Repose (body position)

6. BOX
Used as a desk; his showed that Marat was one of the common people fighting for the revolution.

7. PEN (QUILL)
Instrument of murder that was used to send 1,000’s of accused to the guillotine.

8. KNIFE
Instrument of murder but was used to kill only one person.

9. SHROUD
This showed Marat as Christ-like in the WAY that he died.

10. WOUND
This showed Marat as Christ-like following the crucifixion. He died for a cause and was happy and beautiful in death.

11. SKIN
This showed Marat as pure, regardless of and health problem and the reality of Marat being putrid and rotting by the time he was actually painted.

12. LETTER IN LEFT HAND
The note he was writing accusing traitors (Charlotte Corday’s name appears here).

13. LETTER & MONEY (ON BOX)
Thanks and donation to a widow whose husband died fighting for the revolution. This shows Marat was kind and generous.

14. REPOSE (BODY POSITION)
Showed Marat as pure and saint-like; a martyr for the revolution

15. How is this a piece of propaganda and what was it painted for?
WRITTEN REVIEW
How is this a piece of propaganda and what was it painted for?