This austere composition recalls the work of the Neo-classical painter, Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825), in particular his 'The Oath of the Horatii' (1784), now in the Louvre, a scene also painted by Caraffe in 1791 (in Arkhanguelskoe). The subject is taken from Livy: when, following the Gallic invasion of Rome in 387 BC, all able-bodied citizens fled, only the ancient senators chose to remain. Seated in their courtyards, 'dressed for death', they stoically awaited the arrival of the Gauls, who, as depicted here, 'stood entranced' at the sight of these seeming statues.

William J. Knowles (1832-1927); his sale, Sotheby's (London), 4 April 1924 [see Witt cards for RW.1817 and 1818]; purchased there by Sir Robert Witt, London (1872-1952), L.2228b; Witt Bequest 1952

French Drawings: XVI-XIX Centuries, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 04/07/1991-06/10/1991

Neo-Classical Drawings, The Courtauld Gallery, London, November 1972-December 1972

Prat, Louis-Antoine, Le dessin français au XVIIIe siècle, Paris, 2017
p. 645
Fig. p. 645

French Drawings: XVI-XIX Centuries, Courtauld Gallery, London, 1991
no. 7, p. 22
Fig. p. 23

Watermark: Watermark: none in the drawing. Backing sheet (removed but still mounted with the drawing), Recto: right centre edge: large eagle with spread wings.

Inscription: Mount (historic), Recto: right lower edge, graphite: "open"; lower left corner, graphite: "F"; lower right edge, graphite: "Armand Charles Caraffe #9 T.O.". Former backing sheet (removed but still mounted with the drawing), Recto: centre, grey ink, unclear: “Jeü un d[…] à faire des / Titien pour les oeuvres de differens maitrer .II. / il en faudroit une 100e .II. pareille a celle ci ou dun’autre / deslui, mais toujours de la mence grandeur que ce format .II. //”. Former backing sheet (removed but still mounted with the drawing), Verso: upper centre, brown ink: “Entrée des Gaulois dans Rome / C’est l’instant ou les citoÿens sont Retirés dans leurs foyers / et ou les Senateurs restent exposées a la fureur des vainqueurs / Caraffe invt fecit 1798 an 6 de la Republique francaise, a paris //”; upper centre, graphite: "1819. Caraffe, Armand Charles / French. 1762-1822 //"; upper centre edge, graphite: "£25.15.0"; upper right corner, graphite: "#9".

Collector's mark: Mount (historic), Recto: lower left corner, stamped in black ink: Sir Robert Witt (L.2228b).