David A&i

Rating:
Summary: David the Revolutionary
Review: I agree with other reviewers that David is usually glossed over in textbooks, and this is a shame, because not only was David the most important and influential French artist at the end of the eighteenth century, he was also a politician active in the French Revolution, and I think we should be very careful about underestimating the impact of his images on the public at that time. David, in constrast to his Rococo predecessors, was very much a public artist, and his paintings were effective propaganda that tried to cement the new code of morals that surged in on the tide of the Revolution. This is a phenominally important fact that for some reason only gets slipshod treatment in more general books.

Another nice thing about this book that no other reviewers have mentioned is the section at the end that deals with David's legacy. These sections are in all the books in the Phaidon Art & Ideas series and I think they're especially eye-opening. Lee points out how opinions of David's work have continually been changing since his death. For example, he discusses how an Italian artist (whom the idiot reviewer from Singapore somehow mistook for the "narcissistic author" [?!?] and decided to pass off the rest of the book as worthless because of it) posed as a character from "The Intervention of the Sabine Women" to illustrate David's ideas of masculinity and start some sort of dialogue about how they apply (or do not apply) to the modern world.

Highly readable prose, great art history with appropriate general history breathed back into it--as it should be.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Profile of the Life, Times & Works of David
Review: I was thoroughly impressed with this profile of Jacques-Louis David. It was given to me as a gift and I was not sure of quite what to expect. From my experience, David is often given little more than a few pages (or even a few brief paragraphs) in art textbooks and thus if a person wants to know more, it is necessary to do a bit of digging.

From the introduction, my fear was dispelled and I knew I was in for a treat. The author discusses David's personal life, his political ideas and involvement, the relevant historical details, and David's works. The illustrations are wonderful and aside from David's paintings and sketches, the works of artists like Boucher, Vien, Caravaggio, Poussin, Gros and Ingres are included. Lee generally gives a fair amount of analysis on each of David's works. Most students will recognize The Oath of the Horatii, The Death of Socrates, and Marat Breathing his Last but will also see and learn about The Coronation, The Distribution of the Eagle Standards, Brutus, Intervention of the Sabine Women, Belisarius Receiving Alms and Mars Disarmed By Venus, to name a few. Regarding the politics of the French Revolution, Lee discusses David's role, his allies, his enemies, and his skillful use of paintings as propaganda. We see David shift from painter to the monarchy to painter for the Revolution to painter for Napoleon to painter for himself, warts and all. One should not assume that Lee candy-coats the issues in this book. He neither presents David as a flawless genius nor spoils the book with pretentious blather. The text is informative and sophisticated without being cumbersome or haughty.

Other great features of the book include a convenient glossary, short biographies on pertinent figures, a map and a timeline. Whether you are an expert art historian or a student, you will find this book to be a great addition.

Rating:
Summary: Splendid little treasure
Review: Phaidon's new ART & IDEAS series has been consuming since I first purchased their NEOCLASSICISM and definitely will not be last. As expected from Phaidon, the production value is exquisite. Though compact, measuring 8in X 6in, it is lavishly illustrated in full luminous colors. There are two-page spread of David's popular works like THE OATH OF THE HORATII, THE CORONATION OF THE EMPEROR, and THE INTERVENTION OF THE SABINE WOMEN. Lee discusses David's bitter beginnings and his triumphs, the works in French political context, and the artist's inspirations and influences. Mercifully lacking in exceeding hero-worship prose, Lee also discusses David's jealousy and his extreme political views. Pompous, overeducated art scholars may dismiss the text as dry, plain, or written for "kids," but this page-turner is still a terrific overview of David's works. The book is painstakingly designed in such a way that you don't have to flip back and forth for a pictorial reference when reading a particular text; most of the illustrations are conveniently placed not more than three page-flip away from the relevant text. With its uncluttered, elegant cover design, and excellent editorial, Phaidon has another winner. Bring on Bruguel, Klimt, Caravaggio, and Magritte! More!

Rating:
Summary: I didn't buy this book
Review: Well, why not?
I have to admit that this book on David looks good. However, whilst flipping thru the book, I came across the end section and there was this picture of the author in full frontal nudity, in a heroic pose. I don't see the link between a photo of a naked man and David's biography.
I can only attribute this to the fact that the author is indulging in narcissistic display.