The Three Horatii
1612
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1612
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Three Horatii is a 1612 ink by Antoine Jacquard, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows three men in the center standing barefoot, wearing short tunics and helmets. Around them, other figures—some armed, some mourning—fill the scene, which looks like a battle or a dramatic moment. The background has a mix of trees, buildings, and a crowd, all drawn with sharp lines and dark shading. The figures in the center are often linked to a story about loyalty and sacrifice, but here the focus is on the way the artist uses light and shadow. Notice how the engraving creates depth with tiny parallel lines. Try looking up engraving to see how this technique works in other art.
