The Death of Marat, the Painting & the Event

On July 13, 1793, Charlotte Corday talked her way into the apartment of writer Jean-Paul Marat and plunged a knife into his chest while he soaked in the bath, killing the Voice of the People within seconds.  It was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and was made famous by the painting by Jacques-Louis David.A painting that is as much propaganda as it is historical and has become the very definition of the event. If you say “The Death of Marat” to anyone, they don’t think of the event itself; they think of this painting, but few know the actual details of the crime. In this week's episode, we explore the event, what led to it, the event and the aftermath, and how it's been depicted in art of the last 233 years. Visit ClaudineHemingway.com for more info and photos Support the show