Jacques-Louis David at The Louvre, Paris

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Jacques-Louis David (30 August 1748 – 29 December 1825) was a highly influential French painter who dominated the Neoclassical style, widely regarded as the leading artist of his time. By the late 1780s, his cerebral approach to history painting had shifted the art world's focus away from Rococo's lighthearted frivolity towards a more austere and severe classical aesthetic that harmonized perfectly with the moral climate of the Ancien Régime's final years. As an active supporter of the French Revolution and close friend of Maximilien Robespierre (1758–1794), David played a significant role in shaping the artistic landscape under the French Republic. Imprisoned after Robespierre's downfall, he quickly adapted to Napoleon I's regime upon his release, developing his distinctive Empire style characterized by warm Venetian colors. Following Napoleon's fall and the Bourbon revival, David exiled himself to Brussels, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he remained until his death. David had a large number of pupils, making him a towering figure in French art during the early 19th century, particularly in academic Salon painting. His artistic influence extended far beyond his own work, shaping the course of French art for generations to come. Jacques-Louis David's facial abnormalities were attributed to a deep sword wound he sustained during a fencing incident, which left him with noticeable asymmetry and difficulty in eating or speaking. A prominent scar on the left side of his face, visible in self-portraits and sculptures, corresponds to some branches of the facial nerve, likely responsible for his limited facial movement. As a result of this injury, David developed a growth on his face that art historians have identified as a benign tumor. However, it's also possible that this growth was actually a granuloma or post-traumatic neuroma. Given the cultural significance of wit and public speaking in 18th century France, David's facial deformity would have presented a significant challenge to his social life. He was often referred to as "David of the Tumor," a nickname that stuck throughout his career.