Oath of the Horatii - Grade: B+ PDF

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Performance assessment essay on a work of art...

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Oath of the Horatii (1784) Michael Toland The Neoclassical period spans roughly 200 years from the 17th to 18th centuries. This period was referred to as the “new classicism” as it rebuked the excess of the Baroque period that preceded it. “The Age of Enlightenment, or the "Age of Reason," was a cultural movement throughout Europe and America that celebrated and invested in human intelligence.”(1) It was during this time that the French Encyclopedie was invented and helped spread knowledge throughout Europe and the Americas. Authors of this period such as Johnathan Swift and Voltaire utilized satire against both the religious and political establishments of the period. The Declaration of Independence was signed during the later years of the Neoclassical period. “Jacques-Louis David painting Oath of Horatio is perhaps the best-known Neoclassical work, becoming an inspiration for the French revolutionary movement. It shows three brothers from the Roman Horatius family swearing their allegiance to Rome.” (2) The figures are almost statue-like in both appearance and detail. Each set of figures is framed by the arches in the background…the brothers, their father and the weeping women. This framing of the figures creates balance that was representative of works from the Neoclassical period. Jacques-Louis David was a supporter of the French Revolution and Oath of Horatio was an influential towards this cause of the Neoclassical period. “Many of his paintings make a political statement and encourage civic virtue and loyalty.” (3) This contribution to the humanities continues the theme of motivating civic duty today in both military and governments around the world. David produced numerous works of art during this period that represented revolutionary themes of both heroism and persecution.

References (1) MindEdge, Inc. (2019). Introduction to Humanities. Waltham, MA: MindEdge, Inc. (4.06) (2) MindEdge, Inc. (2019). Introduction to Humanities. Waltham, MA: MindEdge, Inc. (4.12) (3) MindEdge, Inc. (2019). Introduction to Humanities. Waltham, MA: MindEdge, Inc. (4.12)...