DescriptionThis is a compositional study for David's large canvas of the same subject, signed and dated 1814 and today in the Musée du Louvre, Paris. The drawing was executed in two distinct stages, offering a view into the artist's creative process. Over a detailed, lightly sketched composition David reworked the sheet in a darker, more emphatic black chalk, refining and simplifying the landscape and figures, especially on the right side. Leonidas, leader of the Spartan troops, is shown calm and unwavering as his men prepare to battle the Persians at the pass of Thermopylae. Many of the poses and figural types used by David refer to classical prototypes, as does the practice—debated during David's time—of depicting classical warriors nude.

Signatures, Inscriptions, and MarkingsMarks: [pen and brown ink, lower right corner of recto]: monograms of Eugène David (Lugt 839) and Jules David (Lugt 1437), the artist's sons, who affixed their monograms to certain of their father's drawings at the time of the atelier sale on April 17, 1826

ProvenanceJacques-Louis David (French, Paris 1748 - 1825 Brussels)vente David, Paris, Apriil 17, 1826 and following days, part of lot 92 (with two other "compositions au trait" for the Léonidas); Jean Oberlé; Henri Baderou; Galerie Wildenstein (France); Vendor: Wildenstein & Co., Inc.

Catalogue RaisonneBean and Turcic 1986.93