Tennis Court Oath, 20 juin 1789 

Luc-Olivier Merson painted "Tennis Court Oath, 20 juin 1789," capturing a pivotal moment in French history with oil on canvas. The painting is structured around a central surge of figures, unified by their raised arms and a shared sense of purpose. Muted tones dominate, punctuated by stark whites that draw the eye, creating a scene that feels both dramatic and solemn. Merson uses formal strategies to enhance its ideological weight. The composition is arranged to focus on the collective rather than individual identities, embodying the revolutionary spirit of unity and shared resolve. The artist destabilizes traditional notions of authority, replacing hierarchical order with a horizontal spread of egalitarian figures. Notice how the formal elements support the representation of a society in transformation. The Oath proclaims a new order in the making, and as such, the painting stands as a powerful statement on collective action and political will.