Artwork
Le Serment
Le Serment is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Charles-Clement Bervic. It dates from 1789 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le Serment is a black‑and‑white print created in 1789 by French engraver Charles‑Clement Bervic. Executed as an etching and engraving, the work depicts a staged gathering in an architecturally framed garden, rendered with fine linear detail characteristic of late‑eighteenth‑century printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman holding a bouquet, flanked by a kneeling man, suggesting a moment of pledge or oath. Surrounding figures in period costume observe the scene, while a sculptural group—a female figure and a cherubic attendant—appears in the background, reinforcing the theme of solemn commitment.
Technique & Style
Bervic employed a combination of etching and engraving to achieve a range of tones, from delicate hatching in the foliage to bold lines defining the clothing and architectural elements. The intricate rendering of textures, such as the drapery and tree bark, reflects the meticulous hand‑cut approach typical of pre‑Romantic print aesthetics.
History & Provenance
Produced in the year of the French Revolution, the print was likely circulated among patrons interested in contemporary genre scenes. Its survival in museum collections indicates continued appreciation for Bervic’s craftsmanship, though specific ownership records remain sparse.
Context
The image aligns with a broader eighteenth‑century fascination with staged pastoral gatherings, echoing the theatricality of salon culture. The inclusion of classical statuary references the neoclassical revival that coexisted with emerging Romantic sensibilities.
Artist & collection
