Final answer:
Jacques-Louis David's 'The Oath of the Horatii' uses dynamic composition, sharp delineation of mass and volume, and a rational geometric style to enhance the painting's narrative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formal qualities used by Jacques-Louis David in The Oath of the Horatii that enhance the narrative of the scene are primarily the dynamic composition of the figures, the use of light to sharply delineate mass and volume, and a rational style with geometric precision reminiscent of classical art. The painting tells the story of the three Horatii brothers swearing an oath to their father to defend their city, a narrative underscored by the strong use of lines, the division of the space using classical architecture, and the chiaroscuro technique that emphasizes the physicality and determination of the characters. David used dynamic composition in "The Oath of the Horatii" to enhance the narrative of the scene. The painting is organized with a geometric precision that divides the linear perspectival interior into a balanced nine-part square. This structure frames the figures and creates a sense of visual tension and movement. The use of diagonals and intersecting lines in the composition adds energy and drama to the scene, further enhancing the narrative.