Emphasis Preaching Journal
The paintings of Jacques-Louis...
Illustration
The paintings of Jacques-Louis David served to fuel the intensity of the French Revolution among the common folk. While bodies were piling up 10 deep beside la guillotine, his massive painting, The Tennis Court Oath (22 by 32 feet), portrayed what appears to be thousands of people taking an oath for liberty, the symbolic origin of the Revolution. His painting of the assassination of one of the leaders of the revolution, Jean Paul Marat, depicted a martyr's death for the cause of liberty, and was frequently compared to that of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.