The Tennis Court Oath (David) to take the oath, Martin-Dauch, is shown in the lower right hand corner and provides a counterpoint to the general enthusiasm. David also drew all the faces in detail so that every figure was recognisable. Above are large windows with smiling figures of the public. In the 18th century, an oath had a sacred value and guaranteed a person would be faithful to their word, as in David's own "The Oath of the Horatii". During the French Revolution, collective oaths like the tennis court oath were considered as a factor in national unity and national unanimity. The tennis court oath
Oath of the Horatii "The Oath of the Horatii". The painting was exhibited in the Salon of 1785, but it was delivered late. David's enemies at the Academy took advantage of the delay to exhibit the painting in a poor locale in the gallery. The public's dissatisfaction with the painting's poor viewing conditions obliged the gallery to move it to a more prominent location. David kept "The Oath of the Horatii" on exhibit for longer than expected to permit reporters to write about all of the paintings exhibited, not just his. Oath of the Horatii Oath of the Horatii (), is a large painting