The Intervention of the Sabine Women

Why it's great

In the legend of ancient Rome, women rush between two armies to stop a battle between their fathers and their husbands. David painted it after the French Revolution as a message of peace and unity. The figures are posed like statues in a clear, bright light. It took him years to complete.

🏛️ Part of history

Founding of Rome & the Early Republic (753–264 BC) — The Sabine women throw themselves between the armies of their husbands and their fathers to stop the fighting.

Where to see it

📍 Louvre MuseumParis, France

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Hang it on your wall

⬇ Hi-res download 9,837 × 7,396 px · 72.8 megapixels · prints up to about 33 × 25 inches at 300 dpi Heads up: this is a huge scan, so the file can be hundreds of megabytes. Right-click and save it rather than opening it in a phone browser. File page & license ↗

Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:

💵 Budget Etsy ↗ Posters and simple prints from small sellers, usually the lowest prices. 🖼️ Mid-range Fine Art America ↗ Good printing on paper, canvas or metal, made to order, with framing options. 🏛️ High-end Meisterdrucke ↗ Museum-grade giclée prints on archival paper or canvas, the closest to the real thing.

These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.

About the artist

Jacques-Louis David

1748–1825 · born in Paris · died in Brussels

Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris and became the greatest painter of the Neoclassical style, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. He supported the French Revolution and later became Napoleon's official painter. After Napoleon fell, he was forced into exile and spent his last years in Brussels, Belgium. He taught many famous students and shaped French art for generations.