Jacques-Louis David Analysis

The paintings of Jacques-Louis David illustrate the political and historical theme of fraternity and togetherness, a key ideal in the French Revolution. In 1784, Louvre, Paris, David painted Le Serment des Horaces, known in English as, Oath of the Horatii. This historical piece was depicted a Roman legend of 7th century BC, which involved a battle between the Romans and a nearby town of Alba. Instead of a full-scale war, the three Horatii brothers were chosen by the Romans to defeat the trio of brothers chosen by Alba, the Curiatti. The three brothers, all willing to sacrifice themselves for Rome, swear upon the swords presented by their father, proclaiming they will not come back until defeating the Curiatti, and restoring the happiness of Rome. In this
Crow's analysis is as follows, "the body politics appears in the form of the sons, its chosen representatives; they stand on equal footing with the father... and receive from him in a charged and ecstatic exchange the instruments of power" . Through this, it can be interpreted that the three brothers are representatives from each estate of the Ancien Régime, “the body politics appears in the forms of the sons”. Furthermore, they stand with equal power in front of their father, “stand on equal footing with the father”, showing that the three estates are equal in the eyes of the government. “Receive... instruments of power”, can be analyzed to determine that the coming together of the three estates symbolized power the new constitution of the National Assembly would use for change from the Ancien Regime. Therefore, through the following interpretations it can be understood that Oath of the Horatii, clearly embodies the theme of fraternity and togetherness, through the representation of the three estates coming together under the direction of the National Assembly. Another ideal that Jacques-Louis David represents through his artwork is the constant need for liberty and intense