Rousseau, the Individual, the State, and David’s The Oath of the Horati

Rousseau, the Individual, the State, and Davids The Oath of the HoratiiRousseaus view on the relationship amongst the individual and thestate and Davids painting The Oath of the Horatii are two differentgenres with the same views, having French Revolution as the connectingfactor. Davids painting is non done for art sake but rather an artfor the people sake. His painting does not include single aestheticpurposes but includes with ulterior motives. David has a preconceivenotion in his mind and has decided to give a pictorial representationof the preconceived notion and exploits all his techniques to ensurewhat is in his mind. It is because of Rousseaus impact of philosophythat David was able to use his medium of painting to achieve hispurpose. In The Oath of Horatii, Rousseaus impact on David isexpressed very salubrious in the Davids neoclassical style which ischaracterized by clarity of line, logical and balanced composition,restrained facial expression, bold effects of light and a negligible ofdistracting detail. It is very apt for Davids purposes since thestyle enhances and highlights Davids purposes in conveying hispolitical messages.The Horatii were elect as champions of ancient Rome (Audio-VisualNotes 2001) and the legitimacy of being chosen as champions suggeststhe power of the state. According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a personor institution has authority if they are able to command others to dothings. That authority is legitimate only if the person, orinstitution, possesses the right to command others. To be legitimate,the authority the state has over the people must come from the peoplethemselves, and not from a single entity such as the king. Power thatcomes from such sources is usually referred to as naked power. In sucha scenario, we cannot totally agree that the Horatii were comfortablewith the title as champions. They competency be indulged to obey the statebecause they ought to, or because they are afraid of the consequences.In contrast, th ey big businessman be honoured to be chosen as champions of Romeand this title might influence them into offering their lives onbehalf of the country.On the viewers left, a third of the vertical space is dedicated tothree men, Horatii, who are sons to the man, Horatius. The lightsflood crosswise the scene onto the viewers right side, illuminating themain characters and presenting th... ...rheads are facing down with eyes closed with their backs slouching.These choices of colours, postures and gestures suggest that Davidwants to create the solemn atmosphere within the female figures and thecontradiction of their situation will against the customary will of thestate. In Rousseaus view, particular will is concerned with anindividuals advantage. The ladies may be convinced by their threebrothers and their father to think that their particular will is theproduct of appetite while general will is the product of reason. Sincea person acting on his appetite is slavish and bad, while a personacting on reason is noble and good, they should therefore obey thegeneral will and allow their brothers to fight even to the extent ofhaving duels with their own family members.With the cross referencing between Rousseaus views and Davidspainting The Oath of the Horatii that has been presented, we canconclude that it is because of Rousseaus impact of philosophy thatDavid was able to use his medium of painting to achieve his purposeand this is evident through the pictorial representation in conveyingparticular will and the general will of The Oath of the Horatii.