Portrait of Madame David is an 1813 painting by French Neoclassical artist Jacques-Louis David. This work is located in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., United States.
Charlotte David (née Charlotte Juliette Joséphine Godefroy, 1773-1855) was the wife of the renowned French painter Jacques-Louis David. Born into a bourgeois family, Charlotte married David in 1782, at a time when he was beginning to gain prominence as a neoclassical artist.
Charlotte played a supportive role in her husband’s career, which saw him become one of the most influential painters of his time. Jacques-Louis David’s work was closely tied to the political upheavals of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era, and Charlotte stood by him through these turbulent periods.
Despite their close bond, their marriage was not without its challenges. Jacques-Louis David’s intense involvement in revolutionary politics, including his association with Robespierre and the Jacobins, placed significant strain on their relationship. Charlotte, known for her moderate views, found herself at odds with her husband’s radicalism. During the Reign of Terror, David’s political activities led to his imprisonment, a period during which Charlotte’s support was crucial.
After the fall of Robespierre, David was released and resumed his work, eventually becoming Napoleon’s court painter. Throughout these changes, Charlotte remained a stabilizing presence in his life. Their relationship endured until David’s self-imposed exile in Brussels following the fall of Napoleon in 1815. Charlotte stayed in Paris initially but joined David in Brussels later, where he continued to work until his death in 1825.
Charlotte David lived for another 30 years after her husband’s death, passing away in 1855.