by Xiaoxaun Xu

David's painting "the death of Marat" is a description of historical events that the French revolutionary Marat was assassinated in bath. He uses the realistic approach to express the horror scene that Marat was just stabbed. The wound is visible clearly, and blood was pouring from his chest, but the murderer has already fled the spot. His left arm was hanging outside the tub and holds a quill pen. Another hand tightly holds a letter that the murder gave it to him "I am just too unhappy to deserve your kindness". The water in the tub dyed red and his shoulder has blood stains too. The floor has a kitchen knife stained with the blood. A wooden desk is beside the tub and shows "A Marat - David ". Square column shape wooden desk is a certain place on the picture as a memorial stone, and plays the role of stable composition. On the desk was ink, feather pen, paper money and a note Marat has just wrote that 5 francs a mother of five children, her husband gave his life for the motherland. The detail makes Marat a glorious image on the painting.

Marat’s head lay to the side and arm is hanging feebly. It looks like Michelangelo's "Pietà". Despite the loss of life consciousness, his body still has a noble beautiful. David intentionally process the upper part of the painting simple, deep and dark in order to highlight the realistic objective performance of the lower part. At the same time, strengthen the dead body prolapse feeling and this shocking outraged incident brings people a feeling of depression and oppressed in great grief. Charles Baudelaire wrote in his book "This work contains something both poignant and tender; a soul is taking flight in the chill air of this room, within these cold walls, around this cold funerary tub". In a vacant and heavy black background a beam of light from left side shine to victim’s body and face. It’s like a monument of stereo feeling and has a quiet solemn atmosphere. Caravaggio's work "Entombment of Christ" reflects The Death of Marat's drama and light. The whole picture’s tone is slant to green through a careful observe. Green is the color of peace which people like.

This painting does not have many colors and complex techniques. The concise, rigorous, clear, rational way of expression and depth, specific truly represent the detail. It all reflects David to Marat’s respect and condolences. All of these details like Balzac's novel historical and true. This painting likes a full of ghostly terror living drama. This miracle makes an outstanding work of David that no mediocrity and vulgar. At the same time, it also reflects the ideal hero spirit that people desire during the French revolution. David intentionally depicts the death of Marat as Christian saints, which makes his death abound unusual meaning. His sacrifice is to the good and for the welfare of the ordinary people.

"The death of Marat" became David's masterpiece handed down from ancient times. He uses his brushes awakened people plain simple feelings and firmness sense of justice and make Marat’s hero image live forever in the people's hearts.

Xiaoxuan Xu