Kampf der Horatier und Curiatier, 1655

About the Work

This drawing depicts the final phase—and dramatic climax—of the battle between the Horatii and the Curiatii. Four of the six men already lie on the ground as Publius Horatius draws back to kill the last of the three Curiatii. What we have here is a rapid composition sketch. It conveys the dynamic development of the event in space but goes without specifying any details. It is the work of Courtois, a native of Franche-Comté known in Italy as Cortese.