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This monumental painting is the last of Jacques-Louis David’s long career. He was exiled from France in 1816 because he voted for the beheading of King Louis XVI, and despite repeated attempts by his friends to bring him back to his homeland, the proud David chose to remain in Brussels until his death. David started the painting in 1821 and finished it three years later. In the surreal setting, a temple can be seen floating in the clouds. Mars, the god of war, succumbed to the charm of Venus and acquiesced in being deprived of his weapons. Around them are the three goddesses of beauty, and at the feet of Mars, Cupid can be seen untying the sandals of the god of war. All figures are nude and show no signs of embarrassment. The sensuality and frivolity of the scene is pleasing and makes David’s love of drama evident. The contrast between the work’s imposing size and the amorous subject – traditionally depicted in small format – is at least for an artist who has made a serious reputation for himself and whose historical paintings are always flawless. That said, it’s surprising. Here he dares to radically break with his previous style and, in this ambitious work, surprisingly tries to combine antiquity, idealism and realism.
Thanks to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium , we are able to present the work today.
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PS Did you know that Jacques-Louis David painted the most famous murder scene in art history? Please enjoy it and several other creepy paintings .
308 x 265 cm
Neoclassicism
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
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