The French Revolution

 King Fails Economy, What Happens Next is History

Imagine being an average middle-class person living in France under a King named Louis XVI in the late 1700s paying expensive taxes which probably came from war. Imagine being King and allowing the country you rule to have huge national debt and the bank not allowing you to take any more loans. Yes, that happened. France's economy was broke when King Louis XVI was in power. 

Portrait of Louis XVI (1779) by Antoine-Francois Callet; location Museo Nacional del Prado 

 Here is a portrait of King Louis XVI who became a King at a young age. Artist Antoine Callet was the official portraitist of King Louis XVI. I really like this work of art Callet created. King Louis XVI wears such bright fancy clothes that stand out to me. The gold background and the blue curtain mixed with gold also shows his wealth because of him being the King. White and fancy royal mantle. To the right side of him, I can see the beautiful gold and red-like crown. Stature is very Roman ideal-like.

Unfortunately, this didn't last for King Louis XVI. The French didn't want the monarch anymore. They wanted middle class citizens to be equal too. There was riots and wars. So the French overthrowed the King and eventually guillotine him for allowing the city to suffer from being in debt. They also guillotine his wife, Marie Antoinette. 

Tennis Court Oath (1791) by Jacques-Louis David; location Palace of Versailles

The Tennis Court Oath was for the Third Estate or the majority of the population of France. Then the Third Estate started calling themselves the National Assembly. This was the first time that citizens of France can disagree or oppose King Louis XVI. Then on August 4, 1789, the Tennis Court Oath decided to destroy feudalism and approve the Declaration of the Right of Man and of the Citizen on August 26, 1789. Jacques-Louis David was part of this movement. David supported the Revolution and was one who voted to execute King Louis XVI. 

This work of art by David marks history. This painting by David is a moment in time during the French Revolution. Even if it seems like it is one color, everything seems to be in unison. The people, even the curtain wants to be part of the Oath. This painting gives a sense of comradery or togetherness and I really see it. 

Napolean I on His Imperial Throne (1806) by Jean Ingres; location Army Museum

The Revolution grew and other countries fear France, so the other countries fight France. One guy rose from the New Republic, General Napolean Bonaparte. Napolean spread the revolution and became really famous. Too famous, France turns on Napolean. Napolean then crowns himself Emperor. France goes back to Feudalism. Napolean keeps on trying to spread his rule, trying to invade Russia but gets captured. 

This oil on canvus painting made by Jean Ingres is majestic. Great use of contrast colors and also very detailed. Centering Napolean in the middle and having a dark background makes his presence much brighter and stronger. His red and white garment seems so soft yet intimidating. His gaze is one that makes me not want to mess with him but follow his orders. Jean Ingres was a French Neoclassical painter known for his portraits and it really shows here. 

The French Revolution was a time of many events. The arts during this time are very neoclassical, showing traits such as heroism, Roman ideals, and moral virtue. I am not sure if I would own any of these because they have a bloody background because of all the wars. I do appreciate the works of arts I picked though. 


Works Cited
“Army Museum (Paris).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Sept. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Museum_(Paris).
Callet, Antoine-François. “Louis XVI of France - The Collection.” The Collection - Museo Nacional Del Prado, 1 Jan. 1779, www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/louis-xvi-of-france/34d8e3ec-55d3-4ec4-b429-77e65fbb723f.
“Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_I_on_His_Imperial_Throne.
“Palace of Versailles.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Versailles.
“Tennis Court Oath.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_Court_Oath.

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 25, 2020 at 9:14 PM

    Napoleon! Did you know he is the one who commissioned the painting you found overwhelming on this blog ( https://aevan12.wordpress.com/2020/10/22/oh-to-be-enlightened/ )?
    Anyways, out of all these paintings, I think I like the Napoleon painting better (even if I do not like Napoleon). I've always adored how painters back then made clothes look - they just paint them so well! It really makes him look so elegant and clean. I think he looks very small though because the side of the chair is so big and the staffs are big too. I love it so much XD

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