Jacques-Louis David, born in Paris in 1748, is considered to be the most influential Neoclassical painter of his time. As his father was shot as he was 7 years old, he was raised by his uncles. Even at an early age he aspired to be a painter. Luckily for David his mother was related tot the most successful painter of France at the time, Francois Boucher, whom became his teacher.
David painted during a tumultuous period in France’s history. The downfall of the monarchy and the French Revolution were expressions of the social and political unrest of the age. David became closely aligned with the French Republic, using his work as propaganda for the new government.