Liberty Leading the People
Module 6 - Liberty Leading the People
Heather Wroe
Grand Canyon University
History of Ideas
UNV-200
Mikki Tatum
September 20, 2011
Module 6 - Liberty Leading the People
Eugene Delacroix 's painting, Liberty Leading the People was painted in 1830 to commemorate the 1830 July revolution in France that resulted in overthrowing the king of France, Charles X. Two of the ideals and artistic elements of romanticism reflected in this work of art are the political nature of the work of art and the tone of the painting. Both of these elements work together to evoke an emotional response and as a result the painting has become a symbol of the revolution.
Liberty Leading the People is political in nature because it demonstrates the citizen’s desire to break free from the aristocracy and political unrest. This painting portrays the romantic idea that all classes could band together in their struggle and that there should be no rigid class structure. All classes, with the exception of the monarchy, were portrayed in the painting as part of the revolt. The attire of the characters, particularly the hats, represents the many social classes fighting in the revolution. “The factory worker with an uplifted saber on the left sports the hat typical of his class; next to Liberty is a young man waving two pistols and wearing the black beret traditionally worn by university students.” (Benford , 2011) There is even a man in a top hat, representing the middle class. The peasant leading the way is a barefoot woman who personifies Liberty; she holds a musket in one hand and the tricolor revolutionary flag in the other. Lady Liberty bands the classes and sexes together to fight the injustices of the time.
The second element that demonstrates romanticism is the painting’s tone. The tone was passionate and full of feeling; this is in contrast to the dry scientific nature of the paintings seen in the Age of Enlightenment. The painting shows an array emotions in the faces of the
Heather Wroe
Grand Canyon University
History of Ideas
UNV-200
Mikki Tatum
September 20, 2011
Module 6 - Liberty Leading the People
Eugene Delacroix 's painting, Liberty Leading the People was painted in 1830 to commemorate the 1830 July revolution in France that resulted in overthrowing the king of France, Charles X. Two of the ideals and artistic elements of romanticism reflected in this work of art are the political nature of the work of art and the tone of the painting. Both of these elements work together to evoke an emotional response and as a result the painting has become a symbol of the revolution.
Liberty Leading the People is political in nature because it demonstrates the citizen’s desire to break free from the aristocracy and political unrest. This painting portrays the romantic idea that all classes could band together in their struggle and that there should be no rigid class structure. All classes, with the exception of the monarchy, were portrayed in the painting as part of the revolt. The attire of the characters, particularly the hats, represents the many social classes fighting in the revolution. “The factory worker with an uplifted saber on the left sports the hat typical of his class; next to Liberty is a young man waving two pistols and wearing the black beret traditionally worn by university students.” (Benford , 2011) There is even a man in a top hat, representing the middle class. The peasant leading the way is a barefoot woman who personifies Liberty; she holds a musket in one hand and the tricolor revolutionary flag in the other. Lady Liberty bands the classes and sexes together to fight the injustices of the time.
The second element that demonstrates romanticism is the painting’s tone. The tone was passionate and full of feeling; this is in contrast to the dry scientific nature of the paintings seen in the Age of Enlightenment. The painting shows an array emotions in the faces of the
References: Benford , S. (2011). Famous Paintings: Liberty Leading the People, 1830. Retrieved from http://www.themasterpiececards.com/famous-paintings-reviewed/bid/53727/Famous-Paintings-Liberty-Leading-the-People-1830 Fernández, G. (2011). “Liberty leading the People”. Retrieved from http://www.theartwolf.com/masterworks/delacroix.htm