Jacques Louis David (1748 – 1825) was the foremost influential painter of France’s Neo-Classical period. Eventually becaming Napolean’s court painter, he shaped the art style of the era. His famous Empire style was defined by warm Venetian color and compositional innovations which were a complete departure from the Rococo style of the time. After the Bourbon monarchy’s return to power, he fled to Brussels where he continued to paint and teach students.