Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Liberty Leading the People (1830)

Eugène Delacroix: Liberty Leading the People

Here, of course, is one of the most iconic images in all of 19th century French art. It commemorates the July Revolution of 1830, which toppled King Charles X of France. A woman personifying Liberty leads the people forward over the bodies of the fallen, holding the flag of the French Revolution – the tricolor flag which is still France's flag today – in one hand and brandishing a bayonetted musket with the other. The figure of Liberty is also viewed as a symbol of France and the French Republic known as Marianne.

Some links with more analysis of this work:

Cry Freedom (The Guardian)

Artble

SmartHistory (video)

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