Explore the Context of this artwork, Self-portrait (David).
David was an active member of the Jacobins and was close friends with Robespierre. On July 27, 1794, at the onset of the Thermidorian coup, David escaped execution due to his absence from the National Assembly. However, Robespierre and many of his followers who were present in the National Assembly were arrested and executed by guillotine the next morning. David was captured and arrested shortly after on August 2 of the same year due to his affiliation with and support for Robespierre. David was imprisoned in the Hôtel des Fermes on the same day as his arrest and on the way was accompanied by his pupil Pierre-Maximilien Delafontaine who also provided David with the mirror he used to paint his self portrait.
Pierre-Maximilien Delafontaine Robespierre