David puts emphasis on severity and starkness, the space is perfect and geometric rational. The frieze of figures in the painting almost look as if they could have been taken off a Roman vase. This piece marks the birth of Neoclassicism. David’s focus on antiquity radically broke from the Rococo style. This painting was not created in France, but Rome. David is introducing the political narrative of sacrificing oneself for the greater good. This was a really powerful idea, especially when there was tremendous unease regarding the monarchy. The state’s well-bing should be first priority. The luxurious lifestyle devoted to the aristocracy was severely overpowering the notion of heroism. David is attempting to call attention to some of the issues that are taking place in modern France. The moral of the story is that one should be guided by patriotic feelings, not personal feelings about family. When the brother returns to find his sister disturbed by her husbands death, he kills her. In this story, one of the sisters of the Horatii brothers is consequently married to one of the Curiatii warriors from Alba who dies in battle. David’s invention of this moment of oath-taking focuses on the idea of a willingness to die for one’s country. On the Roman side, the Horatii brothers were chosen. Whoever was left standing would win the war. Both cities decide to select three men to fight in their name instead of sending all citizens to battle. It tells the story of two feuding cities, Rome and Alba.

The painting was exhibited in 1785, just four years before the revolution. David’s Oath of the Horatii was undoubtedly one of his most famous and prized works, quickly becoming the face of the French Revolution and the symbol of patriotism.

Roman salute