Frame of the Week

• The Oath of the Horatii by Jean-Baptiste Regnault is a remarkable Neoclassical painting that embodies the ideals of virtue, duty, and sacrifice.

• The painting depicts a dramatic scene set in ancient Rome, just before the Horatii brothers go off to fight a duel against the Curiatii, champions from the rival city of Alba Longa. In the center of the composition, the three Horatii brothers raise their right arms, solemnly swearing an oath to defend Rome and sacrifice themselves.

• Regnault skillfully captures the emotional intensity of the moment, with the Horatii's father holding their swords high, emphasizing the gravity of their commitment. The figures are arranged in a balanced and symmetrical composition, following the principles of Neoclassical aesthetics.

• The Oath of the Horatii exemplifies the Neoclassical style's emphasis on noble virtues, moral clarity, and historical subject matter. Regnault's masterful execution, with its meticulous attention to anatomical detail and precise rendering of architectural elements, pays homage to the classical ideals of ancient Greece and Rome.

Fame of the Week

• This classic Bourgeois was recently sold at a Sotheby’s auction for a mind-bending $33,000,000.

• Art from Richter, Hockney, Hesse, Basquiat, and Haring were also sold at this auction.

• For more info on the auction, click here!

Find of the Week

• “Landscape the artist’s first solo exhibition at Hauser & Wirth West Hollywood, opening 26 May, will present 11 recent ebullient paintings that engage the rich art historical tradition of landscape painting – and propel it forward into the present moment.”

• From Hauser & Wirth WeHo