Art for the Private Viewer
The Broad Usage of Sexual Figures in Art
Curated by Sree Balusu

Edvard Munch, Death of Marat, 1907

On July 13, 1793, Jean-Paul Marat was murdered by Charlotte Corday, a woman who opposed his political propaganda and decided to act.

There is apparent nudity in this painting, and Munch's use of a sexual theme in which to depict this scene creates both a powerful symbolism of this murder.

Similar to David's Cupid and Psyche, Charlotte Corday is white in color, which seems to reference purity. This could allude to her clarity and her vision. She believed in ridding the country of the unjustified hate and political manipulation that Marat had created.

It is important to note the placement of blood in this painting. There is a large blot of blood stained on the bed where Marat lies dead, which signifies the blood from the wound where Corday stabbed him. However, there is also blood on the very bottom of Corday's legs. It looks as though Corday and Marat have just finished sexual intercourse and that Corday has given birth to the murder.

Corday and Marat's sexual intercourse is a physical union that symbolizes the historical union of these two figures. Without Marat's death, Corday would not have become a famous/infamous historical figure. Without Corday's killing him, Marat would not have become renowned as a saint through the work of Jacques-Louis David, who forever changed Marat's image.

Because of David's painting, Marat became publicized as a martyr for supporters of his political party (which explains Munch's use of a crucifixion pose to depict Marat on his bed). Through the lens of history, Corday and Marat are inseparable, which is symbolized by the proximity of Corday and Marat's right hands.

Through the concepts of physical union and reproduction, Edvard Munch accurately depicts both Corday and Marat's place in history along with what they are remembered by -- the murder, which is effectively their child.