在十八世纪末叶至十九世纪初的法兰西画坛上出现了以大卫为首的古典主义。

由于维苏威火山的爆发把埋藏在地下很久的罗马时代的城市发掘出来。古代社会生活的真正面貌重新现在人们眼前艺术家们受到古代绘画和雕塑的影响，群起追寻古典的形式和内容“到罗马去！”是当時的艺术家和考古家的口号，一群后来的古代主义者，便集中到罗马去。加以当时法国国内局势动荡不安。人们不满意布尔明王朝，他们崇拜的是罗马时代的共和政体和英雄。这种思想和当时的美术家是吻合的，于是古典主义便出现了。.

古典主义厌恶卖弄华丽的色彩而注重物体单纯的本色，重视形式，形体的准确性极高，一个题材往往动用复杂的素材，好像它在对我们叙述一件事的过程似的，因为太注重形式，又因为压制个人的感情而用极端的理智去处理，所以古典主义的画說有冷冰冰的一种感觉。

In the late 18th to early 19th century, a movement known as Neoclassicism emerged in the French art scene, led by artists such as Jacques-Louis David.

The excavation of the buried Roman-era cities, revealed due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, provided a glimpse into the true aspects of ancient social life. Artists, influenced by ancient paintings and sculptures, began to seek classical forms and content. The slogan "To Rome!" became the rallying cry for artists and archaeologists of the time, leading to a concentration of Neoclassicists in Rome. Additionally, the unsettled political situation in France, with dissatisfaction towards the Bourbon monarchy, fueled admiration for the Roman Republic and its heroes.

Neoclassicism rejected the flamboyant use of colors and emphasized the simple, natural colors of objects. It prioritized form, with a high degree of accuracy in depicting the human figure. Neoclassical artworks often employed complex compositions, resembling a narrative process in conveying a story. Due to its emphasis on form and the suppression of personal emotions in favor of extreme rationality, Neoclassical art often evokes a somewhat cold and detached feeling.