# The Oath of Brutus

[View the canonical artwork record](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hamilton-gavin-r90b68ab4bc4d96/the-oath-of-brutus-re4ba0c289e20da>)

## Artwork

- Artist: [HAMILTON, Gavin](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hamilton-gavin-r90b68ab4bc4d96>)
- Date: 1751-1800
- Technique: Oil on canvas, 213 x 264 cm

## Commentary

Probably this is one of the paintings, showing unswerving allegiance to one&#39;s country or ideals, which influenced Jacques-Louis David when painting The Oath of the Horatii. \(The painting was available as an engraving.\) In the Brutus story, the oath was sworn as a promise of individual revenge against a corrupt monarchy, and it was somewhat inconsistent and redundant to have noble and virtuous Romans swear an oath to affirm a virtue that was beyond question - patriotism. But the motif of the oath allowed David to present a unified and memorable distillation of a highly involved story.

## Related artworks

- [The Abduction of Helen](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hamilton-gavin-r90b68ab4bc4d96/the-abduction-of-helen-r17bc160449b973>)
- [Venus Presenting Helen to Paris](<https://beta.wga.hu/artists/hamilton-gavin-r90b68ab4bc4d96/venus-presenting-helen-to-paris-rc0e3d9f4772fdf>)

## Attribution

[Web Gallery of Art](<https://beta.wga.hu/pages/about>)