TheOldMastersPrintsThe Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David: meaning, location and key facts
The Oath of the Horatii is an oil on canvas by Jacques-Louis David, painted in 1784. It measures 330 × 425 cm and is held at the Louvre, Paris.
Key facts
| Artist | Jacques-Louis David |
|---|---|
| Date | 1784 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 330 × 425 cm (height × width) |
| Museum | Louvre, Paris |
| Style | Neoclassicism |
| Data source | Wikidata (Q476458) · Wikipedia |
What it shows
Three Roman brothers, the Horatii, swear before their father that they will fight to the death against the three Curiatii, champions of the city of Alba Longa, to settle the war between the two cities. The father raises their swords to the sky.
On the right the women collapse in grief: one of them, Camilla, is engaged to one of the Curiatii. The scene is organised under three arches, with straight lines and tense gestures set against the curves of the female figures.
Did you know?
- It was commissioned by Louis XVI’s administration, and David painted it in Rome, where it was shown in his studio before reaching the Salon of 1785.
- David made it larger than agreed, at 3.30 × 4.25 metres.
- It is considered the painting that defines French Neoclassicism.
Where to see the original
The Oath of the Horatii is at the Louvre, Paris. Works are sometimes lent to exhibitions or taken down for restoration, so it is worth checking the museum’s website before you go.
Which print size to choose
The print keeps the proportions of the original: if they differ from the paper, the painting is centred with a white border and never cropped. More details in our size guide.
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | shelves, desks and gallery walls |
|---|---|
| A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | bedrooms, hallways and small walls |
| A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) | above a sideboard, chest of drawers or headboard |
Prints are made to order in the Czech Republic and reach the EU in 3 to 8 days, with no customs. Canvases are made in the USA and take about 2 to 3 weeks, with EU VAT included in the price.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is The Oath of the Horatii?
- The original is held at the Louvre, Paris.
- How big is The Oath of the Horatii?
- The original painting measures 330 × 425 cm (height × width).
- Who painted The Oath of the Horatii and when?
- It was painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1784.
- Can I hang a reproduction of The Oath of the Horatii at home?
- Yes. The work is in the public domain, so it can be freely reproduced. We offer it as a matte print in A4, A3, A2 (from €18.99) and as a ready-to-hang canvas (from €54.99), with free shipping to the EU.
Updated 21 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Message us through the shop and we will fix it.
