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, . The painting The Oath of the Horatii (1784) by Jacques-Louis David has often been compared to
The Death of Sardanapalus (1827) by Eugène Delacroix to indicate the differences between
neoclassicism and romanticism. Identify five of these typical differences (formal, substantive or
other) [5 x 2 points].
The Oath of the Horatii is a tight composition, there is almost no movement in it, but the Death of
Sardanapalus is very dynamic. The dynamic and decorative can be observed in the rotating bodies. In
short, tight composition versus a dynamic composition.
In the Oath of the Horatii, primary colors are mainly used, so little color mixing. In the Death of
Sardanapalus there is a lot of color mixing and almost no primary colors. In short, a difference in the
use of color.
The Oath of the Horatii is a patronizing painting, because it was painted in the time of the French
Revolution. While romance is not about learning, but about feeling and emotion. In short, pedantic
towards emotion and feeling.
In the Romantic movement, scenes of the present were painted, for example the painting by Goya
the Third of May from 1814. That did not happen with Neoclassicism, she made art that was based
on the past, or had a connotation with the past. In short, past versus own time.
The Death of Sardanapalus is based on a play. In the Romantic movement, the subjects to paint
about were expanded. Now a painting could also be based on literature, instead of just Greek
mythology or biblical scenes.
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