Introduction
Oath of the Horatii shows the valor of participating in the war, so the choice of colors is royally restrained. Vietnam Veterans Memorial shows the tragedy of the war and its imprint, so minimalism conveys the emptiness left by the war. Oath of the Horatii and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial are two historical works of art that interpret the same concept of war through a different prism of moral values of various eras.
Comparison of Sculptures
Both works are different in style as the Horatii is made in a neo-classical style characterized by restraint of colors. However, the minimalistic Vietnam Veterans Memorial turns into asceticism. The choice of style can be explained by various intentions and functions of works of art. They also have different works, such as Oath of the Horatii, an oil painting, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which is part of the street landscape and represents a monument.
The subject matter for the Oath of the Horatii and Vietnam Veterans Memorial is also different. The first of the works focuses more on the life that needs to be dedicated to serving one’s country, and the second is a tombstone that focuses on the aftermath of the war (Oath 1784). Oath of the Horatii was intended for wealthy connoisseurs of painting, while the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located in a public park, is aimed at a wider audience (Vietnam 1982).
Conclusion
Therefore, the historical and cultural context of Oath of the Horatii states that participation in war is an obligation and an honor for everyone, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial shows the terrible consequences of war and how many lives it takes. Thus, in the works of art of the first group, messages about war differ, presenting it as a way to show valor and as a sure option to die. They do not have any connection except for the topic of war.
Works Cited
Oath of the Horatii, DAVID, Neo-Classical Style, 1784, oil on canvas.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, (Maya) LIN, Minimalism, 1982, black granite.