Power of Art

Schama's Thesis: A great masterpiece has, like any song or eloquent speech, the ability to shake and move public opinion. Perhaps even more so in that it puts the viewer in the position of literally seeing whatever is feared or desired. In this way art can be a call to arms, inspiration for fanatic belief, or even an entreaty for forgiveness. With this power, however, comes corruption and propaganda such as this can often lie.

The Intervention of the Sabine Women (1799): Created after the Terror, but before Napoleon's coronation, this painting seems to me to be a plea for forgiveness from the French people for David's crimes (Robespierre and Marat). This painting, supposedly inspired by his ex-wife's support while he was jailed, springs from the story of the Sabines and the Romans. The Romans abducted the Sabine women to keep as wives, and by the time the Sabine men have been mustered to win them back, the women were more or less happily married with children. The Sabine men marched upon the Romans in battle nonetheless, but the women refused to sit by and watch. Desperately, they ran into the battlefield with their young children and attempted to stop each leader from pushing the people into war. Both within and without the painting, this scene is an appeal for peace. David, so long Robespierre's pet, comes back to the people, fighting only now for what they needed from the beginning of the Terror. Peace is the goal here, not the revolutionary stance that was desired before. Despite the strength and war that fills this painting, the central figure is the wife, innocent and pacific in pure white, like a flag raised above in supplication.

Source for image.