The background is de-emphasized, while the figures in the foreground are emphasized.
Overlapping ranks of profile figures are a common motif in classical art, and that of other ancient Near Eastern cultures.
The central point of the hand clasping the sWords is placed in front of the vanishing point of the perspectivescheme, which is emphasized by the straight lines of the edges of the wall blocks and floor slabs of the architectural setting leading to it (see schematic).
The use of dull colors is to show the importance of the story behind the painting over the painting itself.
The picture is clearly organized, depicting the symbolism of the number three and of the moment itself.
The focus on clear, hard details and the lack of use of the more wispy brushstrokes preferred by Rococoart.
The brushstrokes are invisible, and the painter's technique is not displayed as a distraction from the subject
The men are all depicted with straight lines mirroring the columns in the background signifying their rigidity and strength while the women are all curved like the arches which are held up by the columns.
The use of straight lines to depict strength is also demonstrated in the sWords, two of which are curved while one is straight, perhaps foreshadowing that only one brother would survive the encounter.
The brother closest to the viewer (presumably destined to be the sole Survivor) is dressed in colors matching that of the father while the garb of the other brothers is obscured but seems to mimic the colors being worn by the women.
The frozen quality of the painting is also intended to emphasize rationality, unlike the Rococo style.
The only emotion shown is from the women, who were allowed to feel, while the men show stoicdetermination to do their duty.[4]
That it depicts a morally uplifting story, promoting civic duty over the personal, reflects the values of the Age of Enlightenment and neoclassical idealism
