Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Oath of Horatii
This post deals with The Oath of Horatii. I wanted to make a post about this painting because when I was examining it for aspects of the Enlightenment period, I noticed something strange. In the back part of the painting, a woman is covered in a blue cloth which is most likely her clothing. She is not watching what is going on with the three brothers and their father because she is clearly upset that they are going to battle. She also is shielding two children from what is going on. She manages to cover the eyes of the little girl, but not the young boy. Why is the young boy so interested in what is going on? I came up with an idea. I think that the young boy wants to watch what is going on because it is in his blood. Basically, he is a boy and one day will be a strong man. He wants to see what the three brothers are doing so that when he becomes that age, he will be as strong, curageous, and loyal as them.
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After researching The Oath of Horatii a little more in depth, I have to disagree with your views regarding the little boy. He is not watching because he knows that one day it will be his duty to fight for Rome as well, but because he is actually of the Horatii bloodline, and is the events with a concerned face as he fears for his father's life. He is old enough to understand the events taking place and realize the course of action his Horatius father must take, but not old enough to be content with that fact. This event may perhaps prove to be a rude push into manhood for this boy.
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