Waves of Revolution- Neoclassicism and A Call to Arms

Along with the revolution came a shift in taste, away from the light, frivolous, romantic paintings of aristocrats gamboling about in lush environs, towards serious, studious 'history paintings'. As French society dove headlong into the turmoil and violent uncertainty of shifting power between multiple political parties and powers, an appreciation for the rigid, idealized Roman republican virtues arose. Neoclassicism was born. Artists depicted in vivid and precise detail scenes of duty, honor, and sacrifice for the good of country.

The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David

The Oath of the Horatii shown above was one such call to noble virtue. It was commissioned by Louis XVI as an effort to use art to improve public morals (Art History, Stokstad). In the painting the three sons of Horace reach for the swords offered by their father, accepting the duty and challenge to avert war with Alba by fighting the three Curatii sons of Alba, Rome's opponent. The women are also displaying ideal virtuous behavior, quieting the children and meekly accepting the fates of their husband as the head off to fight courageously. History paintings such as this were employed to move the hearts of people who gazed upon them, to make the feel they have a higher calling and to inspire them to strive for the virtues idolized before them. In times of violence and political and economic uncertainty, such calls to stoicism did not fall on deaf ears.