26th Annual Student Research Conference
The Women of Jacques-Louis David
Lacy A. Murphy
Dr. Julia DeLancey, Faculty Mentor
Late eighteenth century French neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David used ancient Greek and Roman historical events to comment on the events of the French Revolution. In his paintings, the roles of women constantly fluctuate. This paper examines two different roles for woman as portrayed by David in his paintings. The artists depiction of women as emotional and weak creatures contrasts sharply with his simultaneous representation of women as powerful and dominant. This paper will examine his works using feminist theory to understand the reception of the works by female viewers as well as the portrayal of women as subjects. It will argue that, through his depictions, David personified the struggles of women during the eighteenth century. As a result of these procedures, a better understanding of the condition of womens rights during this period will be obtained.
Keywords: Jacques-Louis David, French Revolution, Art History, Women's Rights
Topic(s):Art - Art History
Women's and Gender Studies
French
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 302-4
Location: OP 2117
Time: 1:45