The Oath of the Horatii

Jacques Louis David (France; 1748 –1825)
The Oath of the Horatii (c.1785)
The Louvre (Paris, France)

Accompanying Song: Symphony No. 25 in G Minor by Mozart










The maneuvering of such a grand revolutionary scheme as France's lies greatly in debt to painter Jacques Louis David. David was a member of the Intelligencia, or the intellectuals, and received his art training from the prestigious Royal Academy. However, as he grew older, so did his distaste for the gluttonous and power-hogging nobility and monarchy. In 1785, David paints The Oath of the Horatii, a piece of work that seemed to be riddled with artistic flaws. David's compositional and technical inaccuracy was way out of line according to the highly praised artistic hierarchy of the time. However, to the Intelligencia, these subtle "mistakes" clearly read as a rejection to the French Academy's standards. Techniques praised by the Royal Academy were reserved for only the females in the painting, hinting that the weak and powerless characteristics of the women reflected onto the nobility and royalty. On the other hand, David rejects these techniques for the strong warriors, communicating that strength lies with the Intelligencia and working classes. Similar paintings by David were posted in the Louvre where other members of the Intelligencia could pick up on the message and unite against the nobility and monarchy. This slight but clever method of communication proves art's prowess in turning the wheels of change.