Reproductie van een prent van een ontwerp van een monument before 1883

Here we have Emile Aubry's reproduction of a print of a monument design. Although undated, Aubry was active during a period of significant social and political change in Europe. The print seems to idealize power through a classical lens. Winged figures hover above an archway which reads "Pax et Libertas" - Peace and Liberty. Yet, the figures seated on either side of the archway seem burdened, perhaps alluding to the weight of governance. The inscription "Au Roi" suggests that the monument honors a monarch, reminding us of the hierarchical structures of the time. The paradox of celebrating peace and liberty through a monument dedicated to a king prompts us to reflect on the complex relationship between power, representation, and lived experience. By engaging with these visual and textual cues, we can consider how Aubry's work both reflects and shapes our understanding of societal values.