Neo-Classism In Art Analysis

During the French Revolution and Napoleonic era, there were apparent introductions of Roman culture into the artwork and the lifestyles of the French people. Many of these influences on the artwork depicted Roman political struggles and corresponded with current events of Napoleon's reign and the French Revolution, specifically matching Napoleon and King Luis’s government to Roman figures in both a good and bad ways. Three paintings by Jacques-Louis David; Oath of the Horatii, The Lictors Bringing to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons and Leonidas at Thermopylae are the starting points for the style of Neo-classism. Neo-classism in art can be identified as a time when Roman culture expressed through art widely shaped the culture of France during …show more content…
As a result, the patriotic consul had them put to death in order to maintain the government. In the painting Brutus is shown to be in a dark mood in the corner as the scene unfolds and his son’s bodies are brought into the room. Showing his sadness for what he had to do but at the same time him looking away from his son’s bodies reveals a recognition that he knows what he did was for the greater good of his country yet shows he is almost regretful. In Rome this was seen as the ultimate sacrifice for one’s country to defend the honor of your country even at the cost of you own …show more content…
In this painting Leonidas is shown to be sitting nonchalantly as what seems to be chaos is unfolding around him as his army prepares to face what is made out to be an unstoppable invading force from Persia. In the background you can see the Persian army approaching in their ships and in acknowledgment to what they are preparing to do the Greek phrase “Go, passer-by, to Sparta tell/Obedient to her law we fell” is carved onto a rock next to