The Oath of the Seven Chiefs against Thebes c. 1800

"The Oath of the Seven Chiefs against Thebes" is a drawing executed around 1800 by the French artist Anne-Louis Girodet. The work depicts a scene from Greek mythology, where seven warriors take an oath to fight against Thebes, the city of their father's murderer. The dramatic composition, with figures reaching towards a central point, evokes a sense of shared purpose and unwavering resolve. Girodet's use of chiaroscuro, the contrast of light and dark, creates a sense of depth and intensity, drawing the viewer into the heart of the oath-taking ceremony. This drawing is a prime example of Girodet's talent for capturing the human drama and emotional weight of historical and mythological events.