The Intervention Of The Sabine Women
1799
Jacques-Louis David threw us right into the middle of a legendary Roman showdown with this massive, dramatic canvas. You can see the chaos of battle freezing in its tracks as women—led by the fearless Hersilia in white—rush between the clashing Roman and Sabine warriors to protect their husbands and fathers from killing each other. David painted this masterpiece in 1799, right after his own stint in prison following the French Revolution, hoping it would inspire a fractured France to reconcile. Fun fact: he was so proud of it that he set up a special exhibition and charged admission, basically inventing the modern blockbuster art show!
Location: Louvre Museum, Paris
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