Tennis Court Oath

Rabaut Saint-Étienne, Dom Gerle, Abbé Grégoire

Wind + Lightning

Jean-Sylvain Bailly

Abbe Emmanuel-Joseph Sieye

Mirabeau (foreground), Barnave (behind)

Maximilien Robespierre

Martin d’Auch

Father and Children

Patriot with Phrygian cap + Elderly Man

Rabaut Saint-Étienne

Protestant

Abbé Grégoire

anti-slavery, pro-Jewish rights, monk

Dom Gerle

later anti-Revolution due to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, patriot priest

Wind + Lightning

Wind blowing in: “winds of change”. Lightning hitting the royal chapel

Jean-Sylvain Bailly

Astronomer turned revolutionary. Leads the oath. First mayor of Paris. Later blamed for firing on protesters (Champ de Mars) and executed.

Abbé Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyè

Author of What Is the Third Estate?  Big brain behind “national sovereignty comes from the people.” Later helps Napoleon rise to power.

Mirabeau

Fiery noble, great orator, early leader of the Revolution. Dies in 1791; later exposed as secretly advising the Queen.

Barnave

Talented lawyer and top revolutionary speaker.  Advocated constitutional monarchy.  Arrested and executed in 1793 for being too moderate.

Maximilien Robespierre

Not famous yet in 1789, but David puts him in the spotlight. Future leader of the Revolution’s radical phase. Executed in 1794.

Martin d’Auch

The one guy who refuses to sign the Oath. Shown recoiling, defending his conscience.

Father and children

Symbolize the French people watching history unfold.

Patriot with Phrygian cap + elderly man

Patriot helps an old man see the moment — “past generations witnessing their dream fulfilled.”