Jacques-Louis DavidFrench, 1748–1825Loveless Disarming Himself
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Loveless Disarming Himself” now? Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
The satirical target of this unruly lithograph is Jacques-Louis David’s final history painting, Mars Disarmed by Venus and the Three Graces (1824; Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Brussels). The god of war in David’s composition has been transformed into a weary French officer, the nubile goddesses into prostitutes pilfering his battle gear, and the classical, cloud-borne couch into a cheap brothel. As an additional insult, the sign at right offers “Bierre de Mars,” a spring brew rumored to inspire military volunteers.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Details
- Accession number
- 1940.1235
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
In the life of Jacques-Louis David
The whole life1816–1825
The Brussels years: pupils and smaller works
He trained and influenced Brussels artists such as François-Joseph Navez and Ignace Brice, painted “Cupid and Psyche,” smaller mythological scenes, portraits of Brussels citizens and Napoleonic émigrés, and, towards the end of his life, a portrait of his old friend Abbé Sieyès.
1825
Struck by a carriage outside a theatre
As he was leaving a theatre, a carriage struck him; he died later, on 29 December 1825.
spring 1825
Suffers a stroke
A stroke disfigured his face and slurred his speech, but he remained in full command of his artistic faculties.
29 December 1825
Died
