Liberty Leading the People 1830

Vive la revolution? This oil painting, ‘Liberty Leading the People’ (1830) is perhaps the most famous image associated with the July Revolution of 1830. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t depict the original French Revolution which began in 1789. ⚔️ ‘Liberty Leading the People’ was painted by the French artist Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863). Delacroix was a key figure in French Romanticism, a movement which emphasised emotion and individualism. This was in contrast to the focus on reason and science which characterised the Neoclassical style. How is emotion expressed in this painting? 🖼️👇 The canvas is rich with symbolism and classical references. It depicts a female personification of Liberty, often referred to as Marianne, leading a crowd of people in battle. She is a commanding and powerful figure, modelled in a dramatic pose with her arm raised. She clutches the ‘tricolore’ flag of the newly established French nation, and seems to glide over the dead bodies which are strewn across the foreground. She also wears a Phrygian cap, a style of red bonnet which is commonly associated with freed Roman slaves. The figure serves as a clear symbol of patriotism and the victory of the people over tyranny. 👑 This is a dramatic and idealistic image of revolution. Delacroix builds a sense of unity, bringing together a crowd of people from across various age groups and social classes. The figures are framed by flumes of white smoke which create a striking colour juxtaposition against their dark outfits. 🔥 ‘Liberty Leading the People’ has been prominently displayed in the Louvre for over 150 years, and has become an enduring symbol of the French republic. In 2024, the work was restored and faded layers of varnish were removed to reveal brighter colours. 🎨 Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham