It began as the Patriotic Watch but was later known as The Friend of the People.
Jean-Paul Marat was a leader of the French revolution. He was the editor of "L'ami du peuple" ("Friend of the people"). The newspaper that named people who were to be executed during the Terror.
As far as I know, Marat didn't personally kill anyone.
The dead man in the painting, Jean-Paul Marat, was a comrade of the artist, Jacques-Louis David, during the French Revolution. Marat was a journalist and a radical who was known for rallying people for the revolt, and was ultimately murdered by Charlotte Corday, (mentioned in the note Marat is holding in the painting). Corday felt that by killing Marat, thousands of deaths in the name of the revolution could be avoided. The purpose could be interpreted as a memorial to the artist's friend as well as a political statement for the horrendous occurrences brought about from the French Revolution.
The reactions of viewers in the Salon to a painting of Marat addressing the people would depend on who the viewers were. If, for example, they were followers of Marat's, they would probably not have the same reaction as people who wer not his followers.
Marat Smirnov has written: 'Marat Smirnov'
Marat Sarulu's birth name is Bejshemekov, Marat.
Marat Safin's birth name is Marat Mikhailovich Safin.
Marat Aripov's birth name is Aripov, Marat Sabirovich.
Marat Rafikov's birth name is Rafikov, Marat Makhmudovich.
Jean-Paul Marat, a French revolutionary and journalist, published the radical journal "Friend of the People" during the French Revolution. It was known for its incendiary and provocative content that aimed to incite popular discontent and advocate for radical political change.
Marat Safin is from Russia.