The Death of Marat

Original painting by David here: whatistalent.files.wordpress.c…

Jean-Paul Marat, 24 May 1743 – 13 July 1793.
'L'ami du Peuple'.

Marat was a particularly prominent, radical figure during the French Revolution; a Cordelier turned Jacobin who championed the cause of the sans-culottes. Despite being the 'Friend of the People', he wasn't a particularly nice fellow.

"Five or six hundred heads cut off would have assured your repose, freedom and happiness..."

Charming.

His method of moving the revolution forward was to encourage Terror; that is, remove those who had 'betrayed' the revolution by execution at the guillotine. Ironically, he was assassinated by an inspirational woman called Charlotte Corday in his medicinal bathtub, who hoped that his death would halt the killing and bring peace - but instead, Marat became a sort of saint to the sans-culottes, and ultimately became a legend among them.

The chap who painted the original 'Death of Marat' piece is just as interesting. Jaques-Louis David (30 August 1748 – 29 December 1825), a Jacobin and a friend of Robespierre, was called to record the assassination of Marat. You can see the resemblance to images of Christ being removed from the cross within the painting - powerful imagery that helped to turn a bloodthirsty radical into a national hero. When David presented the painting to the National Convention, he said:

"Citizens, the people were again calling for their friend; their desolate voice was heard: David, take up your brushes.., avenge Marat... I heard the voice of the people. I obeyed."

Pencils 2B to 9B and around six hours. A4.

_{It's a little known fact that Marat actually loved Krabby Patties! He and Saint-Just once broke into the Patty vault, where Robespierre screamed "You can't eat all those patties at once, Marat! It'll go straight to your thighs! And then you'll explode!"
No virtue for you, L'Ami du Plankton.}