THE OATH OF HORATII JACQUES LOUIS DAVID

Background Information Painted by Jacques Louis David Painted in 1784, during the Neoclassical Era (18th Century) Represents the time of the French Revolution It depicts a scene from a Roman legend about a dispute between two warring cities; Rome and Alba Longa, when three brothers from a Roman family, the Horatii, agree to end the war by fighting three brothers from an Alba Longa family, the Curiatii Background Information

Character These men are all standing in the same position which shows they have a common goal in conquering, and defeating the other family The men are depicted with straight lines mirroring the columns in the background signifying their strength and rigidity while the women are curved like the arches held up by the columns Jacques David uses straight lines to show strength, demonstrated by the swords, two of which are curved which foreshadows only one man would survive this heroic battle

Color The man closest to the viewer is dressed in bright red which represents revolution, rebelliousness and bloodshed during the battle The women are dressed in bland colors because they are supposed to be inferior to the painting The first son closest to the viewer is dressed in red, which stands out in the painting and it matches the father to show leadership and bravery

Light The darkness near the women represents somber and a sorrowful mood The light shining on the men shows that they are the hope for the small children and women for a brighter future

Angle In this painting, we clearly see all of the characters, with an exception to the children, who are slightly hidden from view We see the objects from a straight on angle, and we are elevated to observe everything going on in the image

Proportion Massive columns, equally massive arches, opening out onto a majestic shadow symbolize power, heroism, boldness, and protectiveness towards their people The humans are large which shows immense strength and the idea that they are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to show obedience and loyalty toward their father and Rome

Placement The painter places the figures in the middle of the image and the architectural work in the background

Setting The painter depicted this scene of oath inside a sacred building a few years before the French Revolution

CHARACTER: The characters are shown in bright colors and are in the same position which shows their importance and a common goal they all wish to achieve. They are all obeying their father and taking an oath to bring pride and victory to the Horatii family and the people of Rome. The characters are brightly li compared to the background of the image, thus emphasizing their crucial importance. In the painting, the three brothers express their loyalty and solidarity with Rome before battle, wholly supported by their father. These are men willing to lay down their lives out of patriotic duty. The three brothers, all of whom appear willing to sacrifice their lives for the good of Rome, are shown saluting their father who holds their swords out for them The figures are brighter than the background which shows they have crucial importance to the painting They are all standing in the same position which shows they have a common goal in defeating the other family. The men are depicted with straight lines mirroring the columns in the background signifying their strength and rigidity while the women are curved like the arches held up by the columns Jacques David uses straight lines to show strength, demonstrated by the swords, two of which are curved which foreshadows only one man would survive this heroic battle. They are all obeying their father in taking the oath to battle and they realize it is their duty to bring pride to Rome To the heroic determination of the men the canvas opposes the devastated grief of the women and the troubled innocence of the children. COLOR: The dim colors on the women help convey the feeling of grief, sorrow, and despair, while the colors used for the males help portray leadership, boldness, and obedience . The contrast in colors in the opposite genders shows the power of the male sex, in comparison to the helpless females. The man closest to the viewer is dressed in bright red which represents revolution, rebelliousness and bloodshed during the battle. The women are dressed in bland colors because they are supposed to be inferior to the painting .The first son closest to the viewer is dressed in red, which stands out in the painting and it matches the father to show leadership and bravery. LIGHT: The light in the image represents hope and the darkness represents sadness and hopelessness. This image is brighter in some places, however not the entire piece is lit up, this concept resembles the idea that there is a brighter and better opportunity in the future, yet the looming darkness shows the possibility for failure and defeat. The darkness near the women represents somber and a sorrowful mood. The light shining on the men shows that they are the hope for the small children and women for a brighter future. The contemplative atmosphere is softened by shades of green, brown, pink, and red, all very discreet. The light in this setting takes on a brick-toned reflection, which encircles his figures with a mysterious halo. ANGLE: In this painting, we clearly see all of the characters, with an exception to the children, who are slightly hidden from view. We see the objects from a straight on angle, and we are elevated to observe everything going on in the image. PLACEMENT: We see the objects from the front and only the little children are slightly hidden from view. The characters are placed front and center, with the architectural work in the background, to represent the idea that man is more powerful that the structures and buildings they create. PROPORTION: The proportion of figures and objects in the painting represent power, courage, and heroism. The men in this image are the biggest objects, providing to their authority and control. On the other hand, the women seem to lack energy, leading to their small, fragile and thin figures. As a result, the women are much smaller in the painting in comparison to the structure and the men. The humans are large which shows immense strength and the idea that they are willing to sacrifice themselves in order to show obedience and loyalty toward their father and Rome. Massive columns, equally massive arches, opening out onto a majestic shadow symbolize power, heroism, boldness, and protectiveness towards their people . The distance between the figures accentuates the contrast between the power of men and the anguish and somberness of women and children. SETTING: The painter depicted this scene of oath inside a sacred building a few years before the French Revolution.

The End Jacques David intended the Oath of Horatii to be a proclamation of the new era, the French Revolution, and the new neoclassical style in which dramatic lighting, ideal forms, and gestural clarity are emphasized. Thank you for your time!