What is the relationship between revolutionary France and the production of art?
David’s painting was exhibited in Paris in 1785, when the public was disillusioned with the monarchy. When it was shown, there was a strong reaction to the painting. Its message resonated with the contemporary viewer in pre-revolutionary France. The irony of The Oath of the Horatii is that, although the painting was created for the king who was sympathetic with Enlightenment thinking, it inspired the public with its moral message and patriotism. In the end, the painting incited the patriotism of the viewer, functioning as a call to arms. Art during this period becomes highly political, serving the ideologies of the time. IV. SECTION FOUR: The Horrors of War Art has produced myriad responses to conflict. An artistic response to the horrors of war is hardly new, by the 20th century, the artist was no longer working within a patronage system that provided artistic parameters according to the patron’s wishes. Now the artist is free to produce an artwork that solely expresses his or her tho
