Your Custom Text Here
Oath of the Horatii, 1785 by Jacques-Louis David.
By painting an ancient historical subject, David was hoping to encourage people to look back at the ancient world and model their actions on that society which had been held-up by many at this time as an example to be emulated. This work helped launch the Neoclassical movement.
The Three Graces by Antonio Canova, 1814-17, The Victoria and Albert Museum.
Canova worked in the Neoclassical style and the subject of this work goes back to that time as well. It depicts three of the daughters of Zeus who represent the epitome of good hostesses as they were in charge of the gatherings when the gods got together. They make a perfect subject matter as they are beautiful young women and many artists over the centuries have chosen to portray them.
Canova,Three Graces, detail.