Why it matters
Three Roman brothers swear to fight to the death for Rome as their father holds out their swords, while the women of the family collapse in grief. The painting was an immediate success and became the model of Neoclassical art, even though the oath itself was David's own invention.
Did you know?
- The story comes from the Roman historian Livy.
- One of the grieving women, Camilla, is engaged to one of the enemy brothers.
- Its success allowed David to take on his own students.
Based on the Wikipedia article Oath of the Horatii (CC BY-SA 4.0).
