Before the French Revolution artistic themes were commonly associated with political theories and the male body. They represented classic Roman virtues such as the civic trait of self-sacrifice, suppression of emotion, devotion to public duty, honesty and austerity.
A classic example is Jacques-Louis David's Neo-classical history painting, The Oath of the Horatii 1769. In this image the Horatii pledge their willingness to die for Rome, to put the interests of Rome over their own lives, and that of their family's devotion and love.…
