The Tennis Court Oath, 20th June 1789 (1791) by Jacques-Louis David

The Tennis Court Oath, 20th June 1789 - Jacques-Louis David - 1791

Artwork Information

TitleThe Tennis Court Oath, 20th June 1789
ArtistJacques-Louis David
Date1791
Mediumpen,paper
Dimensions66 x 101.2 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism
Current LocationChâteau de Versailles, Versailles, France

About The Tennis Court Oath, 20th June 1789

“The Tennis Court Oath, 20th June 1789” is a renowned artwork by Jacques-Louis David, dating from 1791 and crafted using pen on paper. The piece exemplifies the Neoclassical movement and falls within the genre of history painting. Measuring 66 by 101.2 centimeters, the artwork can be found in the esteemed collection at the Château de Versailles in Versailles, France. This work captures a pivotal moment in French history, commemorating the resolve of the Third Estate to establish a new constitution amidst the Revolutionary fervor.

The artwork depicts a gathering of men, who are presumed to be the deputies of the Third Estate, facing a crucial juncture in the infancy of the French Revolution. The scene is filled with emotional intensity; many figures are shown with arms raised, signaling their participation in the collective oath. Central to the composition is a man on a table, presumably honoring the group oath to not disband until a constitution has been established for France. The figures are portrayed in fine attire, indicative of their social status and the seriousness of the occasion. The atmosphere conveyed is one of solidarity and determination, set against the bare walls of the tennis court which served as an impromptu assembly hall. This artwork captures not only the significant political moment but also the ideological and aesthetic ideals of the Neoclassical era, a period marked by a reverence for classical antiquity and an emphasis on order, clarity, and high moral standards.

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