The Barricade 1871

Edouard Manet created this lithograph, The Barricade, depicting a scene from the Paris Commune, a brief but transformative period in 1871. This was a time of social upheaval, following France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Manet, although he came from a privileged background, was known for his sympathies towards the working class. Here, we see his stark portrayal of the execution of Communards, the ordinary citizens who rose up against the government. The faceless firing squad stands in stark contrast to the vulnerable rebels, highlighting the brutal suppression of the uprising. The image avoids romanticizing the violence. Instead, Manet captures a moment of raw, human tragedy. The rough, sketch-like quality of the lithograph adds to the sense of immediacy, as if we are witnessing a clandestine event, a memory. Manet’s choice to depict this event, rather than a heroic battle scene, reveals his engagement with the political realities of his time, and forces us to consider the human cost of ideological conflict. It is a poignant reflection on power, resistance, and the fragility of human life amidst political turmoil.