David’s Oath of the Horatii and Raphael’s School of Athens

David’s Oath of the Horatii and Raphael’s School of Athens

The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that started in the 14^th century in Italy and lasted for over two centuries, from 1350 to 1550.  The Renaissance was a period of recovery from the Middle Ages and particularly all the disasters linked to the Black Death, social, economic, and political crises. From the fifteenth century, significant changes in art, literature, religion, and music wrecked the system of medieval values (Pohl 75). The period of Enlightenment also created significant changes throughout Europe. The origin of the Enlightenment period is closely related to France and its theorists, such as Rousseau. It was a period of reevaluation of all aspects of life, and many intellectuals examined the various aspects of life through the application of scientific methods to their reasoning. During these two periods, many artists attempted to present new works of art to the world, for example, the School of Athens by Raphael and Oath of Horatii by David.

In the School of Athens, Raphael portrays a hall influenced by Roman architecture. The hall contains the Ancient Greece’s biggest thinkers. In the building, the scholars are clarifying and discussing their numerous ideas and perceptions. These intellectuals include both scientists who are concerned with human aspects and nature and Philosophers interested in the vital mysteries that go beyond this universe. Raphael tried to encourage those who came to visit hall to study the theories of the intellectuals. The Greeks were interested in seeking understanding and answer to all the questions in the universe. To reflected this idea in his painting, Raphael included all Greek philosophers in his work of art, though at different times they existed. Raphael used Roman-Greco principles in his arts to encourage his viewers to be like the great thinkers in the painting.

The Oath of Horatii shows three brothers who vow to fight for Rome and win or die. The pledge of the three brothers mirrors the Greco-Roman principle of allegiance to the commander and Patria. The warriors are epitomes of unwavering commitment due to their choice to put their nation before themselves and their families. In the painting, the scene is divided into three parts by three arcs visible in the background. The Horatius brothers stand at the left while the women sit at the far right. The women are close enough to be seen by the warriors, but the brothers choose to ignore them by looking at the blades held by their father. The swords are in the center of the painting and thus isolating the husbands from their wives and children. The swords represent Rome itself. The warriors are ignoring the grieving women, and their father is ignoring the pain in his left hand as he takes the sharp blades. Rome was more important than the little moans. David wanted the viewers also to value their nation, France, like the three brothers. The painting was displayed in 1785, and it inspired the French Revolution. Civilians who viewed the picture developed stronger persuasions and loyalty to the French Revolution.

Both Raphael and David utilized Greco-Roman principles in their arts since undoubtedly, the Roman and Greek cultures thrived for many aims. They both had qualities that made them very successful, and David and Raphael decided to portray some of these attributes to their artwork. They aimed at encouraging their viewers to follow their footsteps and take action. David and Raphael aimed at deriving the virtues present in the Greco-Roman civilization and render them respected in society.

These two works of art were put in places where the two artists were sure that everybody could see them. In the library of Pope Julius II, located in the Vatican City and the Louvre in France, everybody had the opportunity to view the paintings. David and Raphael aimed at bringing a change in their societies and to make people more classical. The two pictures helped in changing society because people who viewed the painting of Raphael were encouraged to study the works of the intellectuals, and they were able to understand the various aspects of life. Individuals who viewed David’s painting were encouraged to fight for their country. Civilians who viewed David’s pictures supported the French Revolution more.