The Oath in the Tennis Court (1791) by Jacques-Louis David

The Oath in the Tennis Court - Jacques-Louis David - 1791

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Artwork Information

TitleThe Oath in the Tennis Court
ArtistJacques-Louis David
Date1791
Mediumoil,pen,pencil,ink,canvas
Dimensions304 x 654 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism
Current LocationChâteau de Versailles, Versailles, France

About The Oath in the Tennis Court

“The Oath in the Tennis Court,” an artwork by Jacques-Louis David dating from 1791, is executed using various mediums including oil, pen, pencil, ink, and canvas. With impressive dimensions of 304 by 654 centimeters, the artwork is classified under both the sketch and study genre and history painting. It embodies the Neoclassicism art movement and is currently housed at the Château de Versailles, Versailles, France.

The artwork captures a pivotal moment in French revolutionary history. It illustrates a group of men in various poses and expressions congregated inside what appears to be a large indoor space. At the center of the work is an animated figure, possibly a depiction of Jean-Sylvain Bailly, the first President of the National Assembly, who is seen with uplifted hand as if taking an oath or giving an impassioned speech. Each person portrayed represents a unique reaction to the events unfolding, with some individuals displaying gestures of support, contemplation, or fervent enthusiasm. The relative sparsity of detail in certain areas of the piece suggests that this is an unfinished work, with some figures fully sketched and others left in a more preliminary state.

Despite its incomplete nature, the artwork communicates a sense of urgency and collective resolve among the individuals present. The attention to physical form and classical composition is indicative of the Neoclassical style and David’s expertise in depicting the human figure with dynamism and clarity. The scene ultimately commemorates the historic event of June 20, 1789, when the members of the French Third Estate, who were locked out of the meeting of the Estates-General, gathered in a tennis court and pledged not to separate until a constitution had been established—the famous Tennis Court Oath—a foundational act in the French Revolution.

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