Which of the following interpretations explains the underlying themes and symbolism of David's Death of Marat and Birk's Death of Manuel?
a. Sandow Birk appropriated David's style because he couldn't come up with one for his own composition. Birk appreciated how Marat was depicted as a martyr, and applied this concept to glorify the death of a contemporary figure as equivalent to the death of an individual from a different time period. In addition, Death of Manuel was painted as a graphically-violent depiction of death with color choices that suggest blood and gang violence.
b. Death of Marat symbolizes an individual who was caught up in the moment of a turbulent time period while writing a poem, while Death of Manuel appropriates a similar pose and composition to highlight attention to lives lost to gang culture. Both Marat and Manuel wear headscarves that identify them with a historic group or subculture.
c. David's Death of Marat depicts a martyred revolutionary hero during the French Revolution. Sandow Birk references this artwork to highlight the contemporary issue of gang violence and the supposed "martyrdom" of gang members who die while engaged in such activities. Birk's Death of Manuel brings viewers face-to-face with the slaughtered "hero" by isolating the figure--one who appears peaceful with a sympathetic expression--against a stark background.
d. Birk's Death of Manuel employs an opposite palette/color scheme of warm reds in an exterior setting as a compliment, yet contrast, to David's cool greens in an interior setting. The dramatic linear style of both paintings implies the demise of confined men who were isolated at the time of their deaths.