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.
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.
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15 comments:
The Cold Chisel cover would have been even more significant had it been Don Walker in the bath.
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.
Why so, Bob?
Well, although the esteemed James Barnes was the messenger, the words were mainly Walker's.
I see.
I thought you might have been implying you'd like to stab Don Walker.
I think I prefer this one
That dress is just divine
I must make a note of that, Squib, for the next international Dress like Charlotte Corday Day.
Which is next Tuesday.
Huzzah!
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."
"Fuck, look at the stain on that wall!
"What a fucking slob, I'm glad I stabbed him!"
It's a 'Napisan Challenge' moment, isn't it
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.
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.
"That'll teach you to talk to hot blogging chicks."
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.
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