The Liberty Leading the People painting by Eugene Delacroix is one of the most revolutionary artworks in the Louvre!
It is a favorite of all history lovers for depicting the 1803 July Revolution, when King Charles X lost the power over the throne.
First-time visitors planning to marvel at this historical masterpiece must know all about its backstory to understand the hidden easter eggs for an informational visit.
In this article, we’ll analyze the Liberty Leading the People painting in detail and learn more about its technique, location, and ticket prices to explore!
Description: How does the painting depict the Revolution?
Liberty Leading the People is a painting from the Romantic Era, painted by Eugene Delacroix in 1830.
The other name for this painting is “A Barricade,” a massive oil on canvas painting, 260 cm x 325 cm in size.
The painting covers the events of the 1803 July Revolution, during which King Charles X lost his throne after 18 years of rule.
It covers the events of the turmoil from 27th July to 29th July, all on one canvas.
It depicts people of all backgrounds and classes following a bare-breasted lady in a white dress who holds the French flag in her hand.
The flag only became the National Flag of France after the Revolution, so it holds deep historical significance.
The woman also holds a bayonetted musket in another hand.
She wears a Phrygian Cap, also known as the Liberty Cap, to signify her identity as Liberty.
If the woman looks familiar to you, it is because she is Marianne, a symbol of the French Republic!
The people advance to fight against the governance of King Charles X for freedom.
An Analysis of Liberty Leading the People
Since the painting Liberty Leading the People shows the revolutionary moment in France, there are hidden elements to observe.
The painting is like a historical document, capturing the spirit of freedom and the desire for the Revolution of the people against their ruler.
On observing closely, you will notice that people of different classes and walks of life are depicted moving together.
The Bourgeoisie class is represented by the man in a suit with a top hat, while the Ecole Polytechnic unformed-student represents the middle class.
The urban workers and others are represented by the young boy holding the pistol!
This scene indicates that all the people of France, despite their class differences, came together to fight for freedom.
At the feet of the woman and the advancing crowds are hundreds of bodies of martyrs who lost their lives fighting for the Revolution.
The woman is bare-breasted to resemble the Greek Goddess depictions that were popular in France.
The tricolor blue, white, and red flag displays the demand for the values of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity among the royals and others.
You can discover so much more about the painting if you take a guided tour of the Louvre!
Where is Eugene Delacroix’s Masterpiece in the Louvre?
The painting of Liberty Leading the People is in the Denon Wing of the Louvre, one of the most popular and crowded rooms.
It is on the first floor in room number 700, also known as Salle Mollien or the Red Rooms.
The room’s walls are a bright red color, which corresponds to the tragic and revolutionary nature of the paintings on display here!
You can also see the tragic The Raft of the Medusa Painting by Theodore Gericault in the same room.
The best way to avoid crowds when entering this wing is to get through the Porte des Lions Entrance, which leads directly to Denon Wing.
Best Time to explore the Denon Wing
The Denon Wing is the least crowded from 9 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 5 pm on weekdays.
On weekends, the Wing receives less tourist crowds from 9 am to 10 am.
We don’t recommend visiting on the first Friday of the month after 6 pm since crowds double because of free admission.
However, since the Denon Wing is open from 9 am to 6 pm on Mondays, Thursdays, and weekends and from 9 am to 8 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, you can enjoy seeing the painting anytime within these hours.
To know more about the best month and season to plan a visit, check out our Best Time to Visit the Louvre Museum article!
Louvre Museum Tickets to Explore the Wing
You must have Louvre Musuem tickets to explore the Denon Wing and other parts of the Museum.
The standard Louvre skip-the-line tickets are excellent options for visitors to explore at their own pace till closing time, costing €25 for visitors between 18 and 99 years old.
History buffs and art lovers will enjoy an informational 2-hour Guided Tour of the Louvre for €84 for visitors 18 to 99 years old.
Kids 17 years and below can enjoy this guided experience for a discounted price of €69!
Painting Techniques Used in the Delacroix’s Painting
Eugene Delacroix used clean lines and vibrant colors to give emotion and life to his paintings.
Romantic painters were famously known for choosing subjects that would cause a stir of emotions in their audience.
These emotions are visible in Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People painting, as most visitors are sorrowful and full of admiration for the Revolution.
Eugene used a lighter shade of color to highlight the dead man in the lower left corner of the painting.
Most visitor’s eyes are attracted to this isolated figure with a tragic look.
He also used light brush strokes to create a dream-like effect with the paint.
You must remember that this painting does not aim to capture what happened realistically but to draw emotions from the Revolution onto the canvas.
Liberty Leading the People was one of the pioneer paintings that defined the teachings of Romanticism!
Observing this painting offers a great opportunity for art students to learn how to capture powerful emotions and messages in their art pieces.
History & Restoration
Eugene Delacroix painted this masterpiece in 1830 and was exhibited in 1831 in the official Salon soon after.
During this display, the French Government purchased this painting from him for 3,000 francs.
They wanted to put it on display in the Luxembourg Palace to remind King Louis-Phillpe of how he came into power.
However, it did not remain here for long and was given back to the artist in 1832, after the June Rebellion.
When the third French Republic was established in 1874, they purchased the painting again, and was displayed in the Louvre Museum!
Since it was now a part of the Louvre’s collection, the painting’s popularity increased, resulting in its display in different parts of the world.
The painting traveled to Tokyo for an exhibition in 1999 by the Airbus Beluga airplane, standing with lots of protection.
Only a single restoration was done on the painting in 2013 when a woman in Lens wrote AE911 on the piece.
It was easy to erase the inscription, and took only two hours to get the painting looking as good as new!
Liberty Leading the People Facts
Want to know more? Here are some exciting facts about the painting to show off to all your friends and family when exploring the Musuem!
- The painting has a portrait of Eugene Delcroix in it! Critics believe the man in the top hat is Delacroix himself.
- George Antheil’s Symphony Number 6 was inspired by Liberty Leading the People and Delacroix.
- The Statue of Liberty in New York was inspired by the lady at the forefront of this painting!
Contents
FAQs on Eugene Delacroix Liberty Leading the People
1. What is the meaning of Liberty Leading the People?
The painting depicts a woman with the French flag in her hand, followed by a mob of protestors walking over the bodies of the fallen. It portrays the struggle of the French citizens against the Government.
2. Who painted Liberty Leading the People?
Eugene Delacroix painted this masterpiece in 1830.
3. Is the painting in the Realism style?
It is not a realistic painting since it means to rouse the emotions of all visitors based on Romanticism ideals. However, you could call it a combination of contemporary realism and imagination since the Revolution was a real-life event.
4. What event does Delacroix’s painting of Liberty depict?
The painting depicts the July Revolution of 1803, during which King Charles X was dethroned after 18 years of rule.
5. Who is the lady in the painting?
The lady in the painting is a depiction of Marianne, who is the human personification of the French Republic.
6. What room is Liberty Leading the People in?
The painting is in Room 700 in the Denon Wing. It is on the first floor in the Red Room, also called Salle Mollien.
7. What does the Phrygian Cap symbolize in this painting?
The Phrygian Cap was used to symbolize Liberty, as its other name is the Liberty Cap.
8. What is the French name of the painting?
The French name of the painting is La Liberte Guidant le Peuple.