That famous painting of Lavoisier

Any scientist who visits the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City is brought to a halt by Jacque-Louis David's portrait of Antoine and Marie-Anne Lavoisier.  Chemistryworld has a post by Philip Ball this month about the discovery of what had been originally painted (and covered up).  Antoine Lavoisier was arguably the most pivotal figure in the history of chemistry.  Ball speculates that the painting was altered due to worries about Lavoisier's portrayal in light of the forthcoming French Revolution.  If so, the alterations were not sufficient to save Lavoisier's life--he was executed during the Revolution--though his wife did survive.  Check out Philip Ball's account.