十七世纪末，法国发生了轰动世界的大革命，人民憎恨贵族和布尔朋王的专横，他们崇拜古代英雄和罗马的共和政治这种思想和美术家的思想是一样的，这样法国的大革命就促成了古典美术主义的诞生。

在这个混乱的时代，法国云现了古典主义美术大家-大卫。他于1749年诞生在巴黎的一个中等家庭，年纪很小的时候就表现出卓越的绘画天才，但是家里人都一致地反对他学画，后来他的父亲有位要好的朋友名叫蒲修，对于大卫的绘画天才很是器重，但他知道大卫不准他学画时，便设法去劝说他们，并且保证大卫一定能够成一个很好的画家！

果然大卫的父母在朋友的劝说之下同意他们孩子去学画，蒲修是当时法国的一位画家，大卫就决定跟他学习，不幸学了不多久，由于蒲修年纪老迈，体力不支，不能继续教导他，只好把大卫介绍到法国国立美术院去学画。

大卫在美术院学成之后又随同老师到罗马去游历，看到许多古代的作品。回来以后，他画图的作风就超越古典派了。

公元1789年法国大革命前夕大卫完成了一张暗示古代自由政治的画，很受人民爱戴。当时的统治者曾下令查禁，但是许多人却偷偷要看大卫的作品。

公元1798年，法王路易十六被处决的前数日，一位国会议员因为投票主张即刻将法王杀掉，就在当天黄昏，这位议员就被流氓杀害了。

大卫为了纪念这位议员的惨死，就画了一幅有名的勒贝勒地在死床上的名画，轰动一时。

不久，又有一位革命者被杀害，被暗杀的是一位科学家和政治家，名叫马拉，人民很爱他，誉他为“民众之友”，这样就遭受到贵族的憎恨。

一次一个叫柯代的女子说有事要见马拉，这时马拉因患皮肤病浸在浴缸中工作，不能起来，就在浴缸中见客，出其不意，却被这女客用短剑刺杀了。

这件事被大卫知道以后，在愤慨之余里刻画了一幅“马拉之死”的画来纪念这位革命战士。

一年后共和国没落，不久由拿破仑主政，大卫开始为拿破仑作画，被封为“美术总监”。

大卫的晚年时期，是在比利时度过的晚景悽凉，孤独于1825年九月廿九日逝世，享年七十七岁。

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n the late 18th century, France witnessed a world-shaking revolution. The people despised the tyranny of the nobility and King Louis XVI, idolizing ancient heroes and the republican ideals of Rome. These sentiments mirrored the thoughts of artists, leading to the birth of Neoclassical art during the French Revolution.

Amid this tumultuous era, the epitome of Neoclassical art in France emerged - Jacques-Louis David. He was born in 1749 into a middle-class family in Paris. Even at a young age, he displayed extraordinary talent in painting. However, his family initially opposed his pursuit of art. It was only through the persuasion of a family friend named Pécoul, who recognized David's artistic genius, that his parents allowed him to pursue his passion. Pécoul, himself a painter, promised that David would become an excellent artist.

Indeed, David's parents relented and allowed their child to study art. Initially, David studied under Pécoul, but due to Pécoul's advancing age and declining health, he was unable to continue teaching. Consequently, David was introduced to the French Royal Academy of Painting.

After completing his education at the Academy, David traveled to Rome with his teacher to explore ancient art. When he returned, his artistic style transcended the Neoclassical norms of the time.

In 1789, on the eve of the French Revolution, David created a painting symbolizing ancient political freedom, which was widely embraced by the people. Although the ruling authorities attempted to ban it, many individuals secretly sought to view David's work.

In 1798, just days before the execution of King Louis XVI, a member of the National Convention called for the immediate execution of the king. That very evening, the congressman was assassinated by a mob.

In commemoration of this congressman's tragic death, David painted a famous work titled "The Death of Lepeletier on His Deathbed," causing a sensation.

Shortly thereafter, another revolutionary figure, a scientist and politician named Marat, was assassinated. He was beloved by the people, earning the title "Friend of the People." However, this made him a target of the nobility.

A woman named Charlotte Corday claimed to have a matter to discuss with Marat. Finding him working in a bathtub due to a skin condition, she took him by surprise and stabbed him with a dagger.

Upon learning of this event, David, in his indignation, created a painting titled "The Death of Marat" to honor the fallen revolutionary.

A year later, the republic fell, and Napoleon assumed power. David began painting for Napoleon and was appointed "Director of the Arts."

David's later years were spent in a melancholic twilight in Belgium, where he passed away on September 29, 1825, at the age of seventy-seven.