<P> Neoclassicism in painting gained a new sense of direction with the sensational success of Jacques - Louis David 's Oath of the Horatii at the Paris Salon of 1785 . Despite its evocation of republican virtues , this was a commission by the royal government , which David insisted on painting in Rome . David managed to combine an idealist style with drama and forcefulness . The central perspective is perpendicular to the picture plane , made more emphatic by the dim arcade behind , against which the heroic figures are disposed as in a frieze , with a hint of the artificial lighting and staging of opera , and the classical colouring of Nicholas Poussin . David rapidly became the leader of French art , and after the French Revolution became a politician with control of much government patronage in art . He managed to retain his influence in the Napoleonic period , turning to frankly propagandistic works , but had to leave France for exile in Brussels at the Bourbon Restoration . </P>
<P> Neoclassicism in painting gained a new sense of direction with the sensational success of Jacques - Louis David 's Oath of the Horatii at the Paris Salon of 1785 . Despite its evocation of republican virtues , this was a commission by the royal government , which David insisted on painting in Rome . David managed to combine an idealist style with drama and forcefulness . The central perspective is perpendicular to the picture plane , made more emphatic by the dim arcade behind , against which the heroic figures are disposed as in a frieze , with a hint of the artificial lighting and staging of opera , and the classical colouring of Nicholas Poussin . David rapidly became the leader of French art , and after the French Revolution became a politician with control of much government patronage in art . He managed to retain his influence in the Napoleonic period , turning to frankly propagandistic works , but had to leave France for exile in Brussels at the Bourbon Restoration . </P>
with what french artist did neoclassicism find its most perfect expression
with what french artist did neoclassicism find its most perfect expression
Jacques - Louis David
Jacques - Louis David