Frihed, lighed og broderskab 1798

This is a satirical print etching by J.F. Clemens, a work characterized by its stark monochrome palette. Its subject matter and composition jolt the viewer, prompting a strong emotional response. The linear precision and carefully modulated tones create a scene divided into three distinct yet interconnected groups. On the left, a chained figure represents ‘Frihed’ or freedom, while at the center, the two beasts embody ‘Lighed’ or equality. Finally, to the right, violence is done to signify ‘Broderskab’ or brotherhood. These three elements, rendered with a sharp, critical eye, form a visual commentary on the French Revolution's ideals. Clemens uses these stark visual contrasts to destabilize conventional understandings of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The composition invites a semiotic reading, where each figure and symbol serves as a signifier, challenging the viewer to question the values and power structures inherent in revolutionary rhetoric. The artist is inviting us to rethink these concepts.