Eed op de Kaatsbaan 1792 - 1849

This print, made by François Louis Couché, depicts the Tennis Court Oath. Look at the raised arms, a gesture echoing the ancient Roman "ad locutio," where leaders addressed crowds, promising protection and strength. But here, it mutates. It is not a single leader, but a collective, each arm a branch of a new body politic, vowing unity. The oath, a sacred act, is an echo of religious vows, now transferred to the secular sphere. Consider, too, the flags suspended above, reminiscent of religious banners carried in procession. These symbols tap into a primal desire for order and commitment, yet, the fervor, the almost frantic energy, hint at the chaos lurking beneath the surface. It is a powerful image, one that reveals how deeply ingrained symbols can be repurposed to serve the passions of a new age, a testament to the enduring power and cyclical nature of symbols in human consciousness.