Der Schweizerbund (The Oath of the Rütli) 1806

Franz Hegi's "Der Schweizerbund" (The Oath of the Rütli), a 1806 engraving, depicts the legendary oath taken by three Swiss men to fight for their freedom from Austrian rule. The artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, shows the three figures raising their hands in a gesture of solidarity as the central figure holds a sword aloft, signifying their commitment to liberation. This powerful imagery, referencing the Swiss national myth, resonated with audiences of the time and continues to be a significant piece of Swiss national identity.