Basic data and context
Oath of the Horatii
David
Painted pre-French revolution 1784
NeoClassical style/movement
A new type of painting that showed a simple clear style with a simple clear effective message.
The previous style of Rococo art was pretentious, light-weight and very frilly.
e.g. Fragonard The Swing 1766
Meaning / messages of political impact
David used an ancient Roman story about the Horatii family sacrificing 3 sons for Republican Rome’s honour.
He was creating a new moral style which exhorted the French people (during a time of political dissatisfaction with the Monarchy) to stand up for their honour. It suggested that bravery and stoical suffering were noble attributes.
Images that help convey the message - discuss
The swords could be symbols of honour and justice. The military clothing tells us that the men are soldiers. The theatrical body language of the father and sons shows determination and discipline, while the softer collapsed poses of the women foretell the suffering to come.
(Could be many others ……..)
Discusion of the important elements and principles that help convey the message
Most important …
The composition is divided in thirds with the focal area - the collection of swords - in the middle.
It is a simple, clear, geometric composition which gets across an idea very easily.
There is also a clear contrast between the theatrically lit figures in the foreground and the dark architecture and space behind.
The space is a shallow ‘tableau’ /stage-like space set up by linear perspective on the floor tiles and clever use of overlap in the figures.
The actual lines of the outstretched arms and the implied lines of the sons’ gazes, lead the eye to the focal area.
Colours are natural - somber and serious - with red being used as the main accent. This red also refers synbolically to the Romans and to bravery/death.
Your opinion of the success of this painting. �Would something like this work TODAY?
- some answers
Mrs M’s opinion ….
I think that David makes us consider moral values in his painting. However, today we would probably use more hi-tech methods like TV and Twitter.
We still have artists referring to stories that only people in the know can ‘get’ ( like the story of the Horatii). Often the artists are critical of poor moral values, rather than encouraging us to admire good ones.
Even today this can get the artists into trouble.
Sa’diyah’s opinion in her Prezi - follow the link