Paris and Helen Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825)

Description of Jacques Louis David’s The Love of Paris and Helena

Here, it would seem, a revolutionary painter, praetor of the French Revolution, and suddenly a subject from ancient Roman history... Some might find such juxtaposition strange, but it was just then that French revolutionaries quite often turned to Roman history. And apparently on the wave of this passion David, a famous artist, depicted on the canvas two young people in love with each other.

The main thing the artist could not avoid was the interior. Very much it resembles the interior of French boudoirs in wealthy homes. Even the sofa has a slight French patina. Paris is presented here as the patron of the Muses and as the god of Rome in love. Helen is presented as the lovely queen of the human world.

This is the same Helen who caused the wars. But there is a slyness to the artist here - the couple are too chaste. At least the redness of their cheeks speaks volumes. What is it? An embarrassment of their own nudity, or a display of feeling? And again, if you look closely, you can see where the artist has lied a second time...

The poses of the characters are too aristocratic. In general, it turned out as well as it could. Of course, David does not claim to be a painter-historian, although a few years later he will simply inspired by the image of the murdered Marat. And this will really be a historical painting. But here we have a somewhat frivolous canvas, with the final foreplay, the couch is spread out, and Paris is somewhat undressed. Although Helena is almost chaste. Is it a mismatch again? Probably not. We come to the conclusion that David too freely knew the history of ancient Rome, and in particular the myths and legends of Italy.

On the whole, however, the painting does not stand out in any particular way. It’s just proof that sometimes the artist’s brush rests on its genius. Maybe the artist himself felt that his best work lies ahead.