Jacques-Louis DavidFrance, 1748–1825Les Sabines
À propos du tableau
Les Sabines (titres alternatifs L'Intervention des Sabines, Les Sabines arrêtant le combat entre les Romains et les Sabins) est un tableau peint par Jacques-Louis David entre 1796 et 1799. Peinture d'histoire appartenant au courant néoclassique, elle marque une évolution dans le style de David après la première moitié de la Révolution française, qualifié par lui-même de « grec pur ».
Notice
- Numéro d’inventaire
- INV 3691
Pendant ce temps, chez Jacques-Louis David
La vie entière5 mai 1789 – 9 novembre 1799
Took part in: French Revolution
1797
Meets Bonaparte and sketches his portrait
Struck by Bonaparte’s classical features, he secured a sitting from the busy, impatient general and sketched his face; the full composition of Napoleon holding the peace treaty with Austria remained unfinished.
1798
Declines to accompany Bonaparte to Egypt
Bonaparte asked David to accompany him to Egypt; David refused, seemingly unwilling to give up the comfort, safety and peace of mind he had won over the years, and Dominique Vivant Denon went instead.
1800
“The Sabine Women” shown with a mirror and a pamphlet
The painting was shown at the Palais du Luxembourg and then at the Salon in the Louvre; David had a large mirror hung before it so that visitors saw themselves against the battle, and each visitor was handed a pamphlet explaining his intention. The showing became a political event.
7 February 1800
Declines the post of “painter of the government”
Bonaparte named David “painter of the government” by special decree, but the artist, defending his independence, declined the post.
