Introduction:
Oath of the Horatii is a painting on canvas, by Jacques Louis david, displayed in a Royal Palace, the Louvre in Paris. It is the first and start of Neoclassical style in Painting Art. The concept behind the story in painting was taken from Book of Livy, elaborated from Roman Antiques.
Story:
In this painting, a story of two cities Rome and Alba, during war is captured. It was decided to arrange a fight between three fighters from each side, and the last fighter who survives shall be the victor, rather than to a lot of killings from both of the armies. Rome choosed Horatii family’s three brothers and Alba selected Curiatii family to fight three brothers. In the painting Father of Horatii Family takes an oath from his sons to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the good of the Rome. Besides this, the most important story is not only the fight, but a fight between two families, married to each other. A daughter in law in Horatii family was a daughter of Curiatii family, and a daughter of Horatii family was engaged to Curiatii family. In the painting both of the women are shown weeping crying with sorrow of killing their beloved ones. After the fight only one survives the Horatius, reached home and killed his sister, found her cursing the Rome for the killing of her lover and fiance.
Analytics:
This painting was appreciated, praised and criticised. Those who look into the patriotism, loyalty and love for a homeland, appreciated and praised the idea. But those who found women grieved, criticised. This concept is said to be the key point behind the French Revolution.
