Debate topics on “Arts During the French Revolution.”
Is the "Death of Marat" more a political symbol than
an artistic masterpiece?
Argue whether the painting’s primary value lies in its
political message or its artistic merit.
Does David's idealization of Marat undermine
the authenticity of the event?
Debate whether David's portrayal of Marat as a serene
martyr distorts the harsh realities of the Revolution and
Marat’s true personality.
Is the portrayal of Marat in the painting more
about victimhood or heroism?
Explore whether David's work emphasizes Marat's
victimhood or elevates him as a heroic figure in the
revolutionary cause.
Was the Tennis Court Oath an act of unity or defiance?
Discuss whether the gathering of the Third Estate represented
a united effort to create a fairer government or an act of rebellion
against the monarchy.
Does Jacques-Louis David’s unfinished painting accurately
reflect the significance of the event?
Discuss whether David’s interpretation captures the spirit and
urgency of the Tennis Court Oath or if its incompleteness leaves
important aspects unaddressed.
Does "The Oath of the Horatii" represent true loyalty to
the state over family?
Debate whether the painting’s portrayal of the Horatii
brothers emphasizes a message of patriotism and loyalty to
the state above personal or familial ties.
Was the Women’s March on Versailles the true turning
point of the French Revolution?
Debate whether this event had a more profound impact on
the Revolution than other key moments, such as the Storming
of the Bastille or the Tennis Court Oath.
How important were food shortages in motivating the
Women’s March on Versailles?
Discuss the role of economic factors, particularly the scarcity
of bread, as a primary cause of the march and whether it
was more influential than political motivations.
Was the painting "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" an accurate
depiction of Napoleon’s leadership or a glorified version?
Debate whether the painting represents Napoleon as he
truly was, or if it exaggerated his heroic qualities for the sake
of propaganda.
Can the portrayal of Napoleon on a rearing horse be seen
as an intentional myth-making tool?
Discuss whether the dramatic imagery of Napoleon astride a
rearing horse was meant to elevate his image to near-mythical
status, distancing him from the reality of the event.
Does the painting "Lady Liberty Leading the People" by Eugène
Delacroix represent the ideal of revolutionary freedom for all
people, or is it primarily a glorification of violent rebellion?
Discuss whether the painting's portrayal of Liberty as a
heroic figure embodies the universal ideals of freedom and
equality, or if it emphasizes the chaos and violence inherent
in revolutionary uprisings.
