Thank you @skippyza! I spend a great deal of time studying the Old Masters. They are an inspiration. But there are also many modern masters that are sources of inspiration.

The story behind David's "Death of Marat" is an interesting one. After the French Revolution, Marat was a much reviled figure. Because David had painted Marat as a martyr, he was shunned. This painting effectively ended his career. Hopefully, my painting won't do the same for me. ;-)