Liberté pour tous 1833 - 1898

Félicien Rops created this pencil drawing titled “Liberté pour tous” in the late 19th century. Rops lived during a time of significant social and political change in Europe, including the rise of feminist movements and debates around women's rights. The image depicts a nude female figure who is raising her arm in a fist. The title, “Liberté pour tous” or “Freedom for All,” suggests a universal call for liberation. But how might we consider this depiction of freedom through a gendered lens? Rops was known for his provocative and often misogynistic imagery. Here, the female form is exposed, yet she is also presented as a figure of strength and defiance. Consider the complexities of representing freedom through the female body during a time when women themselves were fighting for their own liberation. Does this image empower or exploit? By using a female nude as the symbol for freedom, Rops makes us consider the relationship between the body, power, and representation. What does freedom look like, and for whom?