The Coronation of Charles X

This is a case where a comparison will give a good idea of how differently the same subject was handled by Jacques-Louis David and one of his numerous pupils. The pupil was Fran�ois G�rard who was also commissioned to paint a coronation, that of Charles X in 1827. The heavy draperies of the baldachin (brocade canopy), the costumes and the sweeping gestures look back to the Baroque, as might be expected at the Restauration. It is significant that the centre of the painting is not occupied by the act of coronation but by the bishop, who is standing with his back to the king, his eyes raised in suppliance to heaven.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 11 minutes):

Modest Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov, Coronation Scene