Propaganda

One of the artists we talked about in class was Jacques-Louis David, a French Neoclassical painter. One of his paintings was Napoleon Crossing the Alps. Created in 1800, it was a picture of Napoleon on his horse looking confident and in control. The combination of the horse and Napoleon dominate the painting, making Napoleon seem larger than his small stature. The horse looks crazed with fear which contrasts with Napoleon's calm expression. Riding the animal, David portrays Napoleon as a strong leader, only holding on by one hand, the other up in the air as a sign of confidence.

Obviously, Napoleon understood the potential art could have in creating a positive view of himself in the eyes of his people. He used this portrait by David as propaganda to make people believe he was a strong and powerful leader with no fear. In reality, Napoleon was short, riding a sturdy but ordinary mule up the mountains. That picture, David realized, would have been less than inspirational. Instead he used his skill as a painter to create an alternate image that displayed Napoleon's journey in a more positive light.

Propaganda like this has been used throughout history by the government, politicians, and many others who have wanted to make their audience believe or feel a certain way. Aritists often partake in propaganda during times of war when national support is most important and in politics. This image of a Time magazine cover with President Bush giving a "thumbs up" sign with the caption "Bush Resigns: The Nightmare is Over" is an example of political propaganda. The message is obviously trying to get viewers to see Bush as someone stupid (the "thumbs up" sign even as the cover hails his resignation) and monstrous (use of the word "nightmare").

Both images, one from the beginning of the nineteenth century and the other from the twenty-first, although different in medium and subject, both serve the same purpose: to make viewers believe the message they put forth as true.