Oath Of The Horatii

Artist: Jacques -Louis David

Date: 1784

Medium: oil on canvas

Provenance: Rome

Source: louvre.fr

 Analysis Of Elements Of Art: Organic forms are incorporated  by the use of human figures. The organic forms are the focal point of this piece. Parallel lines are used in the brick to add more detail even though they are hard to see. The lines are being pulled back to a point in the back to give the painting more depth. Color is used to highlight the people while simultaneously dulling the background. The artist uses a mix of warm and cool colors to make the people stand out such as reds, blues, and yellows.

Analysis Of Principles Of Design: Contrast is created by the use of bright and dark colors. The bright colors are used on the organic forums, the people, to make their scene pop. The brightest brights are used on the three soldiers and their father who is holding up the swords to show the importance of that scene. The women behind them are still wearing bright colors, but they are not as bright. The dark colors in the background are also used to create emphasis on the soldiers and their father.

Description: In this painting, three soldiers are standing before their father who holds their swords in his hands. Behind them, 4 women are in the background, and one of them is weeping. They are located in some sort of grand room.

Interpretation: The red that the soldiers and their father wear symbolizes the intensity of the situation; of war. It also foreshadows the blood that will be shed because of the this. The weeping woman in the back hints at the despair their family will fall upon when two of the brothers are killed. As I mentioned before, the bright colors on the soldiers and their father show the importance of the situation. The value of importance dulls along with the colors.

Judgement: This painting was put together very nicely. I am connected to the subject because I am very interested in Ancient Rome where this piece was painted and set in. I really admired the artist's use if contrast. I feel like it really pulled out the important pieces of the painting. This piece is visually pleasing because of the details the artist put into it.