The Death of Marat
Jacques-Louis David · 1793
Why it's great
Jean-Paul Marat, a French revolutionary, lies in his bathtub after being stabbed, clutching a letter in his hand. David was his friend, and he painted it like a sacred picture, with quiet light and an empty background. It's famous because it turned a news event into a haunting memorial. The painting shows how art can shape how people remember history.
🏛️ Part of history
The French Revolution (1789–1799) — David painted his friend, the revolutionary journalist Marat, murdered in his bathtub, as a kind of martyr.
Where to see it
📍 Royal Museums of Fine Arts of BelgiumBrussels, Belgium
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris and became the greatest painter of the Neoclassical style, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. He supported the French Revolution and later became Napoleon's official painter. After Napoleon fell, he was forced into exile and spent his last years in Brussels, Belgium. He taught many famous students and shaped French art for generations.
