Jacques-Louis David’s much loved painting, Oath of the Horatii, depicts an ancient Roman legend in which Rome and Alba Longa were at war. In order to settle a dispute between the two cities, they chose to each send three champions to fight each other, and the country to which the victor belonged would win the dispute. Three brothers known as the Horatii agreed to represent Rome in order to end the war. The painting shows the self-sacrificial brothers saluting their father with their swords before going off to fight the Curiatii from Alba Longa. In the background is Camilla, the sister of the Horatii and the betrothed of one of the Curiatii, grieving in the knowledge that she will lose someone she loves. The Horatii were victorious, but only one brother survived.
David was born on August 30, 1748 in France. He was considered to be one of the most influential painters of his time, if not the most influential. He painted scenes from history in the neoclassical style, especially relating to events in France. He was personally commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate important triumphs in the emperor’s life. (Shown below is Napoleon Crossing the Alps.) He was known for his intense and cold, emotional scenes.
