Neo-Classical Art and Romanticism - Essay Example

It was also an era of revival of early Christian art. . Many Baroque artists painted biblical scenes that to give the stories a touch of realism (Maureen, n.p.). Neoclassicism Neoclassicism is a very famous and powerful western movement in literature, architecture, painting, and music, decorative and other visual arts. It started in 1760s and ended in 1850s. Its inspiration and idea emerged from the classical art and culture of ancient Rome and ancient Greece. It is also known as the renewal of artistic norms and principles of Classical ancient times.

Neoclassical Art was considered mainly plain, ordinary and unemotional form of art as compared to former periods. One of the main and major reasons for the start of neoclassicism is the discovery of ancient art works at the exploration and excavation of Herculaneum and Pompeii ruins. Neoclassical art highlights tradition, courage, nationalism and sacrifice. Neoclassicism spread all over Europe. The countries in which neoclassical art was mostly used were France and England. Oath of the Horatii  Oath of the Horatii was painted by Jacques Louis David in 1784 before the French Revolution.

Oil paint was used. Its dimensions were 10' 8" x 13' 9" (3.3 m x 4.2 m). The picture depicts the scene of three brothers before departing for battle. They are willing to die because of their patriotic duty to their government. Story behind the painting is that a war going on between Rome and Alba for many years. A decision is made that the final battle would be in the battle field (Roberts et al, 231). The painting is an expression of a new style that is Neo Classism Art. The men are wearing robes which are of roman style therefore we can classify this painting as “neoclassical”.

It is mainly about loyalty to the king and the established rule .Oath of the Horatii represents the people's sacrificial loyalty and commitment to the Roman Republic. The topic of the painting has an extreme patriotic and neoclassical view. The picture depicts the scene of three brothers before departing for battle. They are willing to die because of their patriotic duty to their government. Story behind the painting is that a war going on between Rome and Alba for many years. A decision is made that the final battle would be in the battle field.

In the painting there are three men, who seem to be warriors, stand facing a vital figure. The painting spotlights around the three men on the left and one old man in the center. It depicts that they are one. The oath is taken by three brothers with the support of their father. The two groups were of three brothers from Horatii family in Rome and three brothers from Curiatii family in Alba.One of the Horatii sisters is married to one of the men on the other side the Curiatii and one of the Curiatii sister is married to one of the Horatii brother.

In the painting two women are crying on each other’s shoulders on the right. They seem to be in sorrow. They seem to be wives of Horatii brothers. A woman is shown crying with two children. She is the sister of Horatii brothers. The father of the Horatii family is shown in the picture taking his sons oath to fight till the death. When the battle ended only one of the six men survived. He was a Horatii. Father is the hero of the story. He sacrificed his sons for the greater good of the people.

The idea here is that one must be ready to sacrifice for the country. The colors in the painting are soft and gentle. The only color that is bright and prominent is red which