Which of David's paintings conveyed a call to revolutionary action
2 answers:
Answer:
The answer is "Oath of the Horatii"
Explanation:
The 1784 Neoclassical painting by Jacques-Louis David is considered to be a call to revolutionary action. It is based on the Roman legend mentioned on the first book of Livy.
The legend tells about the conflict between two cities, Rome and Alba Longa. Instead of marching to war, they agreed to settle their dispute choosing three men from each city, the Horatiis brothers from Rome and the Curiatti brothers from Alba Longa. These families would fight representing each city in combat willing to die for the cause.
The Painting depicts the moment where the Horatii brothers salute their father before going to combat, taking an oath to defend Rome willing to give their lives for the cause. They are fully supported and encouraged by his father in counter position to the image that we see on the right corner of the painting.
There we see the family women mourning and lamenting as they will suffer deeply the consequence of this battle. One of them, Camila, is engage to one of the Curatti brothers. Another one, wife to one of the Horatii brothers is sister to the Curatii. They are in despair and desolated as no matter the outcome they would lose their beloved.
This sense of patriotic duty represented the deep and highest values of Rome: loyalty, nobility and sacrifice. The painting became very popular and it placed David into a renowned position in the Art circuit of those days bringing him fame. It also represents the so popular Roman salute.
You might be interested in