one of his friends and heroes was jean-paul marat, the journalist.his friend of the people came to a violent end. he was murdered in his bathtub by his political enemy-- charlotte corday. the day after marat's death, a deputation appeared in the national convention to offer regrets on behalf of the people. one deputy made a speech which is recorded by a contemporary of david, the historian delescluze. "what a crime is this. "a parricidal hand has robbed us "of the people's most determined defender, "a man who died for liberty. "we still look among you, expecting to see him here "among you, our representatives. "what a spectacle it was-- "this man in the moment of his death. "where are you, david? you have another picture to paint." and david spoke up, his voice choked with emotion, "yes, i will undertake it." david painted the picture in three months. the death of marat is a murder story, and we see all the clues to the murder-- the blood, the knife, the letter marat received from charlotte corday just before she murdered him. it's a very realistic p