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Social Class Disparity in France Under the Old Regime: A Visual Symptomatic Analysis

This painting by Jacques-Louis David delves into the stark societal divide in 15th century -1789 France, highlighting the unequal distribution of power and wealth among the Church, the Nobility, the Third Estate, the Bourgeoisie, and Slaves, shedding light on the prevalent inequalities, struggles, and injustices faced by different classes. Dive deeper into the artist's attempt to visually represent the societal structure of Old Regime France and the inherent disparities ingrained within it.

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Social Class Disparity in France Under the Old Regime: A Visual Symptomatic Analysis

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Presentation Transcript

  1. What do you think is the point that the artist is trying to make with this picture?

  2. France Under the Old Regime 15th Century - 1789

  3. The Church(the First Estate) • About 130,000 individuals • 97% of France was Catholic • Owned ¼ of property in Paris and 10% nationwide. • Tithe = 8-10% of harvest collected each harvest • Paid only a voluntary 3% of income in taxes • Was a source of charity

  4. The Nobility(the Second Estate) • .4-1% of population and owned 1/3 of land. Rights over the rest. Received 1/12 to 1/6 of harvest. • Divided between nobles of the sword and of the robe. • Hereditary privileges (exclusive hunting rights, feudal dues, and exemption from taxes and the corvee) • Nobles at Versailles received most appointments to the church, army and bureaucracy. Others (hobereaux) weren’t always that rich.

  5. Everyone ElseThe “Third Estate” • Urban poor spend 40-60% of their income on bread. Food riots were common. Worked 14-16 hour days. • Life expectancy =50 years, ½ of children died before age 5 • 80% were rural peasants, 1/4 - 1/3 of produce to nobility

  6. The Bourgeoisie • 5% of the population • Law, investment, royal administration, landlords • Enthusiastic for Enlightenment ideals • Increased from 700,000 in 1700 to 2.3 million in 1780

  7. Slaves • The main colony was Saint-Domingue (modern Haiti) • >450,000 working in the Caribbean • Regulated by the Code Noir of 1685: no legal or family rights • Half died within a few years.

  8. Government • No written constitution • Roman law in the South and customary in the North • Cruel punishments for offenses

  9. Jacques-Louis David

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