Position of adjectives

Question

In the sentence, "Beaucoup de gens disent que l'œuvre de Géricault est plus qu'une simple peinture" is the adjective simple placed in front of the noun for emphasis?  Same question regarding vrai frégate.

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Frank,
The adjective "simple" is placed after the word "peinture" to highlight the feeling / opinion expressed (i.e. a subjective meaning). So, placing an adjective before a noun gives it a subjective meaning while placing it after a noun gives it a literal/objective meaning.
Take a look here : 
The position of délicieux in relation to the noun it is describing.
In the case of "vraie frégate", the same applies:
la vraie frégate = the real frigate
 -> i.e. the authentic/genuine one
la frégate vraie = the true frigate
 -> objective meaning / This is not a usual phrase in French!
Une vraie histoire = a genuine story
 -> subjective
Une histoire vraie = a true story
 -> objective
 
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !