An interesting perspective on David's Death of Bara was provided by the exhibition of the painting held in Avignon in 1989 as part of the bicentenary commemorations. Jean-Clément Martin described his reactions in an essay of 1990, updated for his 2012 book La machine à fantasmes.
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EXHIBITION: La mort de Bara. De l'évenement au mythe. Autour du tableau de Jacques-Louis David. At Avignon, 18th January to 15 March 1989.
J.-C.M. remarks that he remembered illustrations of Bara from his earliest schoolbooks and was confident and well-informed about the historical figure. The exhibition was held not in the Musée Calvet, where David's picture is normally display, but in the former Jesuit chapel in the rue de la République, now a Lapidary Museum. Despite the busy main street outside, the church, with its Baroque facade, was an effective venue; the atmosphere of a silent grandeur encouraged a mood of contemplation and reflection. (The effect was only slightly marred by the prominence of an expanse of red netting under the roof.)David's painting took central stage, enthroned in the middle of the chapel, on what was once the site of the altar. Although he was very familiar with the image, Jean-Clément found himself taken by surprise: