In this study, we reviewed the painting "The Intervention of the Sabine Women". The artist, Jacques-Louis David, is said to have conceived the painting when imprisoned during the French Revolution. Some say it was after his wife had visited him in jail, lending itself to the validity of the "love conquers all" theme. Others believe that he wanted to see an end to the violence in his own country. Whatever his motive, the painting that he created captures a scene in Roman history where the Sabine women flung themselves into the battle between their Roman husbands and the fathers/brothers from their own Sabine people.
The main subject, shown in a glowing white gown, is Hersilia. She has put herself between her husband Romulus and her father Titus Tatius, with her children (sons to Romulus, grandchildren to Titus) at her feet. The painting seems like an epic battle has been frozen in an instant. There is very little shadow in this painting, as though all the characters receive light equally. A multitude of combatants fill the background, shown only by their spears and lances. The women appear to be symbols of purity and hope, bringing the bloody conflict to an abrupt halt.
Historically, the Roman men wanted wives to bear them children. It is said that they abducted the Sabine women to become their wives. Whether they were abducted or married the Romans of their own free will has been debated for centuries, but this time period in history has long been a hot topic for artists, particularly during the Renaissance. Here are some famous works depicting this history:
Pietro de Cortona, "Rape of the Sabine Women"
Giambolgna, "Rape of the Sabine Women".
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