Saint Roch interceding before the Virgin - Jacques
- Original dimensions
- 195 x 260 cm
- Movement
- Neoclassicism
- Museum
- Museum of Fine Arts in Marseille
- Year
- 1780
Scene depicted
At the heart of this canvas , Saint Roch, revered for his protection, stands in prayer, interceding with humility. The composition invites the viewer to a spiritual impulse, where humility intertwines with hope. David manages to capture the moment, offering a vision of devotion and faith, transcended by the crucial light that envelops the sacred figures.
Historical context
Created in 1780, this painting is part of the prestigious neoclassical movement, reflecting the aesthetic ideals of its time. It is currently housed in the Museum of Fine Arts in Marseille. This canvas stands out with its imposing dimensions of 195 x 260 cm, transporting the viewer into an atmosphere imbued with serenity and devotion, embodying the spirit of the era.
Place in the artist's career
This painting represents a pivotal moment in David's career, marking his rise in the French artistic landscape. In parallel with works like “Le Sakuntala” and “ The Oath of the Horatii ”, one perceives the evolution of his style, combining a neoclassical rigor with a nascent expressiveness, demonstrating a technical mastery already recognized.
Anecdote
Jacques-Louis David once said: “Light and shadow dance together, revealing the very essence of who we are.” This reflection, captured on a bright morning on the Côte d'Azur, transcended his work. The painting “Saint Roch Interceding with the Virgin” is a reflection of luminous inspiration, marked by the beauty of ephemeral encounters and places imbued with spirituality.
Major exhibitions
Salon of 1781