Jacques-Louis David) (French, 1748-1825 Portrait of Jacques-François Desmaisons, 1782 Oil on canvas, 36 x 28 1/2" General Purchase Funds, 1944

When Jacques-Louis David (dah-veed) was nine years old, his father was killed in a duel. His uncle, Jacques-François Desmaisons (day-may-zon), helped his mother take care of him. Desmaisons was a very prominent architect, a member of the Royal Academy of Architecture and architect to the French King Louis XVI.

This painting is a traditional portrait, representing the sitter, his profession, and his social status. It is also a warm and intimate representation of a man who was very important in the artist's life. His pose and attitude seem to imply that we have just interrupted his work. He lowers his pen, glances up, and raises his eyebrows, curious about the reason for the intrusion.

Desmaisons's attire and surroundings reflect his status and profession. He wears a powdered wig, a coat decorated with gold braid and fur trim, and a shiny yellow satin waistcoat. On the table before him are the tools of his profession: architectural drawings, a ruler, a compass, and books about architecture. The binding of one of the books is legible; it was written by Andrea Palladio, a sixteenth-century Italian architect whose work (rational and classically influenced) was popular in France during DesmaisonsÌs time.

This painting was created in a style known as rococo. It was highly decorative, with small brushstrokes and mostly pastel colors. The rococo style had come into being after the death in 1715 of the powerful and autocratic King Louis XIV, whose court was extremely strict and rigorous. The French nobility felt a great sense of freedom after his death, and everything became less serious, including the style and subject matter of art. Early in his career, David was influenced by this soft and intimate style.

David is an excellent example of an artist changing with the times in which he lived. Seven years after this portrait was painted, the king for whom Desmaisons worked suffered the fate of the French Revolution, and was guillotined in 1793. It is unknown what happened to Desmaisons, but as a member of the aristocracy his life might have been in jeopardy. During these difficult times, David's style changed to subject matter inspired by history, teaching lessons of morality and honor. David was on the committee that voted to execute King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. When the political situation changed again, he was imprisoned for his part in the Revolution. Later, he painted for the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

— Mariann Smith

SUGGESTIONS FOR HANDS-ON AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

• Provide a colorful and interesting costume for one student to wear. Have that student sit in the front of the class in the costume, at a desk. Try to recreate the scene in the painting. Pay special attention to props, expression, and position of the hands. When the audience is satisfied with the re-creation of the scene, have the students make a five-minute drawing of what they see (Sympathize with the model--it is very hard to hold a pose for five minutes!). Tell them that they don't have a lot of time and encourage them to put in as much detail as they can capture quickly.
• Put students in pairs (it will work best if friends are grouped together). Have students work independently at first and not see each otherÌs work. Have each student create a portrait of his or her friend, including objects that they feel express their partnerÌs personality, interests, and appearance. Then have them each create a self-portrait reflecting their own personality, interests, and appearance. Compare the two works about each person and see how well they know each other!
• Research the year 1783. Have each student choose a different country and discover what was happening in that year. Ask them to pretend they are television reporters and have them present a newscast about their country in 1783.
• David is a very famous artist. Try to find other examples of his work and discuss them with your students.