Serment du Jeu de Paume, a Versailles. le 20 Juin 1789
Engraving
1791-1794 (published)
1791-1794 (published)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This print is an illustration to a group of prints depicting events during the French Revolution. The prints with accompanying text were originally sold separately between 1791-4, then were issued as a set of three bound volumes 'Collection complète des tableaux historiques de la révolution française' in 1804. The authors of the work were all actively involved in the early stages of the revolution, as was the artist of this print, Jean-Louis Prieur.
This scene shows the taking of the ’Tennis Court Oath’ in the early days of the revolution. The Three Estates (Clergy, Nobility and Public) were to meet to discuss solutions to the many problems threatening France, such as bankruptcy, famine and gross inequality in wealth. Representatives of the Third Estate found the assembly rooms locked by orders of the King. Seeing this as a despotic act, they gathered in a nearby tennis court and made an oath not to separate until a constitution had been declared. Among those present were Mirabeau, Sieyes, Robespierre and Dr Guillotin. Making such an declaration in the King’s absence was a defiance of royal authority and became the first step towards eventual Republicanism.
This scene shows the taking of the ’Tennis Court Oath’ in the early days of the revolution. The Three Estates (Clergy, Nobility and Public) were to meet to discuss solutions to the many problems threatening France, such as bankruptcy, famine and gross inequality in wealth. Representatives of the Third Estate found the assembly rooms locked by orders of the King. Seeing this as a despotic act, they gathered in a nearby tennis court and made an oath not to separate until a constitution had been declared. Among those present were Mirabeau, Sieyes, Robespierre and Dr Guillotin. Making such an declaration in the King’s absence was a defiance of royal authority and became the first step towards eventual Republicanism.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Titles |
|
Materials and techniques | Engraving |
Brief description | 'Serment du Jeu de Paume, a Versailles. le 20 Juin 1789'. Print by Pierre Gabriel Berthault after Prieur, from the series 'Collection Complète des Tableaux Historiques de la Révolution Française', published Paris, 1791-1794. |
Physical description | Print showing the making of the Tennis Court Oath during the French Revolution, 20 June 1789. The interior of the tennis court can be seen, with the net discarded by the wall. A large crowd gesture towards a table on which a man stands. Manuscripts and writing materials are on the table. Onlookers, both men and women, can be seen in the upper windows. |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Credit line | Given by Mr E. Rawdon-Smith |
Object history | The Collection Complète des Tableaux Historiques de la Revolution Française was first published in 40 parts in Paris between 1791 and 1794. They were published in 3 volumes in 1804. |
Subjects depicted | |
Place depicted | |
Associations | |
Summary | This print is an illustration to a group of prints depicting events during the French Revolution. The prints with accompanying text were originally sold separately between 1791-4, then were issued as a set of three bound volumes 'Collection complète des tableaux historiques de la révolution française' in 1804. The authors of the work were all actively involved in the early stages of the revolution, as was the artist of this print, Jean-Louis Prieur. This scene shows the taking of the ’Tennis Court Oath’ in the early days of the revolution. The Three Estates (Clergy, Nobility and Public) were to meet to discuss solutions to the many problems threatening France, such as bankruptcy, famine and gross inequality in wealth. Representatives of the Third Estate found the assembly rooms locked by orders of the King. Seeing this as a despotic act, they gathered in a nearby tennis court and made an oath not to separate until a constitution had been declared. Among those present were Mirabeau, Sieyes, Robespierre and Dr Guillotin. Making such an declaration in the King’s absence was a defiance of royal authority and became the first step towards eventual Republicanism. |
Associated objects |
|
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | E.1781-1952 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 30, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON