Monday, October 12, 2009

More paintings that rock!!

Jean-Paul Marat is no longer receiving visitors


The Death of Marat is a 1793 painting in the Neoclassic style by Jacques-Louis David and is one of the most famous images of the French Revolution. It refers to the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, killed on the 13th of July 1793 by Charlotte Corday.

As you may recall, I have a particular fondness for large, dramatic paintings with large, dramatic themes and The Death of Marat has all these in spades.

It's also very, very big.

Paintings like these played an important role in spreading the message of the Revolution. For a largely illiterate population familiar with religious imagery the image of Marat, displayed in a pose similar to the dead Christ taken down from the cross, was unmistakable – a Christ like figure, sacrificed for the Revolution. The Revolutionary leaders were careful to make sure cheap reproductions of painting like The Death of Marat were widely available.

After the fall of Robespierre, the painting was removed from public display before finally re-surfacing in 1846.

Fans of Cold Chisel may recognise it as the inspiration of East, with Jimmy Barnes filling in for the Marat figure.

15 comments:

Lewd Bob said...

The Cold Chisel cover would have been even more significant had it been Don Walker in the bath.

Puss In Boots said...

I only stopped posting the paintings because I didn't think people were much interested in them.

This one is a good one though. Actually, that reminds me that there was only one religious painting that I liked in all my art museum visits. I'll have to try to remember who it was by and look it up.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Why so, Bob?

Lewd Bob said...

Well, although the esteemed James Barnes was the messenger, the words were mainly Walker's.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I see.

I thought you might have been implying you'd like to stab Don Walker.

squib said...

I think I prefer this one

That dress is just divine

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I must make a note of that, Squib, for the next international Dress like Charlotte Corday Day.

Which is next Tuesday.

Huzzah!

Lewd Bob said...

That is indeed a ripper, squib. Her hand is still in a stabbing position and she seems to be thinking "Jesus Christ he needs to get this place cleaned up."

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

"Fuck, look at the stain on that wall!

"What a fucking slob, I'm glad I stabbed him!"

squib said...

It's a 'Napisan Challenge' moment, isn't it

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Blood can indeed be a bugger to get out.

Apparently.

So I'm told.

I certainly haven't discovered this by stabbing somebody in the chest.

Mr E said...

Initially I was thinking "What has this got to do with PQ's lovelife?".

It wasn't until I saw the picture that Squib posted that I realised it was about SG knowing where PQ lived.

Very subtle, Ramon.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

"That'll teach you to talk to hot blogging chicks."

Mr E said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melba said...

I like both of them, but the first one is so iconic. I remember seeing it as a child and being transfixed. Must of been an exhibition at the NGV and then we went and played on the big white ball sculpture in the back garden.

Puss, keep posting paintings! I love them.

Here's a painting challenge. Can anyone drum up the following. I have tried and failed. I saw it in the Uffizi and it was the most compelling painting I think that I have EVER stood in front of, and I've seen a few in my time.

By Barend (Bernart) Van Orley, Bruxelles 1488-1541. "Portrait of an unknown man and his wife."

It wasn't the artistry of the painter so much as the expression on the woman's face. Sublime.