Der Schweizerbund (The Oath of the Rütli)
Medium
Outline engraving and etching
Dimensions
Plate: 12 5/8 × 9 3/4 in. (32 × 24.8 cm) Sheet: 19 1/2 in. × 13 in. (49.5 × 33 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Jenny Philippsohn, in memory of Siegfried Philippsohn, 1955
Accession Number
55.526.8
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
**Der Schweizerbund ( Oath of the Rüt)**, created in 1806 by Swiss artists Franz Hegi and Henryeli, captures a pivotal moment in Swiss history: the legendary oath sworn by three patriots on the Rütli meadow in 1291. This scene symbolizes the birth of the Swiss Confederation, as figures like Walter Fürst, von Melchtal, Werner Stauffacher vowed to resist Habsburg oppression, laying the foundation for Swiss independence. Rendered as an outline engraving and etching, the work's stark lines and dramatic contrasts evoke the intensity of the moment, aligning with Fuseli's Romantic style known for theatrical history paintings filled with emotion and heroism. Printed on a modest plate (12⅝ × 9¾ in.), this piece exemplifies early 19th-century printmaking techniques, where etching allowed precise, reproducible outlines ideal for disseminating patriotic narratives. During the Napoleonic era, when Switzerland navigated French influence and internal reforms, such images reinforced national identity and cultural pride. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1955, it now invites visitors to reflect on timeless themes of liberty and unity among men bound by oath. (178 words)
About the Artist
Franz Hegi|Henry Fuseli (Swiss|Swiss) · 1774 |1741 –1850 |1825
Swiss, Lausanne 1774–1850 Zurich|Swiss, Zürich 1741–1825 London