How did Jacques-Louis David move away from the Rococo style?

Jacques-Louis David moved away from the Rococo style by spearheading the Neoclassical movement, which rejected the Rococo’s "dainty curves," "boudoir themes," and ornamental excesses in favor of austerity, moral gravity, and classical subject matter.1

His transition was marked by several key shifts:

• Stylistic Evolution: While early works like Antiochus and Stratonice still showed traces of Rococo charm, David’s later masterpieces—most notably Oath of the Horatii (1784)—deliberately utilized firm contours, bare cubic space, sober colors, and frieze-like compositions to create a stark, non-Rococo aesthetic.1
• Philosophical Shift: Influenced by the doctrines of Johann Joachim Winckelmann and his own experiences visiting ancient ruins like Herculaneum, David adopted a "philosopher" approach to art. He believed art should be guided by the "torch of reason" and serve as a vehicle for moral and patriotic lessons, rather than lighthearted entertainment.12
• Thematic Focus: He moved away from mythological courtship themes toward the stoic virtue, heroism, and self-sacrifice associated with the Roman Republic, effectively using his art to mirror the contemporary struggle for liberty during the French Revolution.31