A Study of the French Revolution's Influence on Art and Painting

This essay examines the profound impact of the French Revolution on the art world, analyzing the shift from the Rococo style to more serious and politically charged art forms. It highlights the emergence of Neoclassical and Romantic styles, with a focus on how artists like Jacques-Louis David and Theodore Gericault reflected the societal changes and anxieties of the time. The essay discusses the influence of the revolution on painting, the rise of nationalism, and the shift in focus from imperial grandeur to the emotional experiences of the people. The essay provides a comprehensive overview of how the French Revolution reshaped artistic expression and the themes explored by artists. The essay references the works of Carlyle, Antaki & Le Guerrier, and Alhadeff to support its arguments.

Running head: FRENCH REVOLUTION AND PAINTING
FRENCH REVOLUTION AND PAINTING
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Author Note

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FRENCH REVOLUTION AND PAINTING
The French Revolution started rewarding the system of education as well as artists.
The revolution had a great impact on every sphere of life in France. However art was one
sphere that was greatly influenced by French Revolution (Carlyle, 2019). The art during
this time became more serious as well as political in nature. The essay aims to discuss the
effect of French Revolution on art.
During the Revolution artists gained a lot of popularity where there were a lot of
paintings that described the situation of the revolution. Oil paintings emerged that ended the
Rococo style of painting. The new paintings focused on nationalism, patriotism and self-
sacrifice. The paintins became more realistic and serious. One of the neoclassical painting
that was influenced by the French Revolution was that of Jacques-Louis David (Antaki &
Guerrier 2018). His painting ‘Napoleon Crossing the St. Bernard pass’ shows the gallant
Napolean going to the battle. The colours used for painting shows the godliess of the dictator
and thw white horse symbolizes his. purity. david also used the names of Hannibal and
Chaelemagne to prove him as a great leader (Antaki & Guerrier 2018).
Romanticism on the other hand was about feelings and emotions. While neoclassicists
were painting about the imperial France the romantic painters were painting a different art.
One such painting in the romantic period was by Theodore Gericault who painted the famous
‘Radeau de la Meduse’ that has different emotions. It does not depict the gallantry of the
French leacders instead of focuses on the shipwreck where the survivors were calling out for
help (Alhadeff, 2020). This indirectly showed the anxiety of the people after the revolution.
Therefore the French Revolution had a great impact on the art and artist of that time.
It also changed people’s views about art and sculpture. The paintings during this time became
more grand and had a social message.

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FRENCH REVOLUTION AND PAINTING
References
Alhadeff, A. (2020). Theodore Gericault, Painting Black Bodies: Confrontations and
Contradictions. Routledge.
Antaki, M., & Le Guerrier, C. (2018). Monument, Portrait, Tableau: Making Sense of and
with Jacques-Louis David’s Tennis Court Oath. In Sensing the Nation's Law (pp. 11-
43). Springer, Cham.
Carlyle, T. (2019). The French Revolution. Oxford University Press.