An Analysis of Eugène Delacroix’s

“Liberty Leading the People” (1830)

Alperen Alatepe

20210208007-062

Yeditepe University

COMM 120.3: Art History and Aesthetic

Spring 2024
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract, Keywords.....................................................................................................................

Historical Context .....................................................................................................................

a) Political Situation of the Period ....................................................................................

b) Economic Situation of the Period .................................................................................

Cultural Context ........................................................................................................................

a) Social Views of the Period ............................................................................................

b) Cultural Views of the Period .........................................................................................

Aesthetic Context ......................................................................................................................

Special Artistic Technical Terms of the Period ........................................................................

References .................................................................................................................................
Abstract

Eugene Delacroix, one of the important French romantic painters of the 19th century, has a

very important place in art history with many of the works he left behind. But perhaps one of

the most well-known and successful of these works is his work titled "Liberty Leading the

People", which he painted in oil in 1830 to depict the July Revolution that led to the

overthrow of King Charles X, and which became the symbol of the French Revolution

(Chaulagain, 2018). This article aims to discuss and evaluate this important work of art in a

historical, cultural and aesthetic context.

Keywords

liberty, French Revolution, romanticism, Eugene Delacroix, art history, aesthetic

a) Political Situation of the Period

In France in 1830, there was a political chaos that arose with the return of the Bourbon

monarchy after the exile of Napoleon. Louis XVIII, who ascended to the throne, abolished

the existing constitution in 1814 and had a new constitution prepared because it did not

comply with the principle of national sovereignty. After the death of Louis, Charles X

ascended to the throne. Charles, who was afraid of the liberals who started to gain power in

the parliament during this period, closed the parliament with a declaration, but what he did

not know was that the people had started a rebellion against him under the leadership of the

liberals (Horn, 1992). The uprising was successful, Charles was dethroned, and Philippe took

his place. But he did not have unlimited authority, his powers were limited. Philippe, who

took his oath in the parliament, became the king of the French people and ensured the

establishment of a democratic and liberal system, and the revolution ended successfully (Boz,

n.d.).

b) Economic Situation of the Period

Industrialization, which started in Europe with technological developments and new

inventions, led to an increase in the number of people engaged in trade and their enrichment.

This bourgeois class, which increased its influence, began to conflict with the current

government. Also, due to mechanization, more working hours and less wages have become a

problem for workers (Boz, n.d.).

a) Social Views of the Period

As mentioned, the upper segments of society, namely the aristocrats and the wealthy

bourgeois class, supported policies that favored their own interests and were given privileges

(Gruner, 1968). But the lower class, such as the farmers in the countryside and the working

class in the city, were struggling with various hardships and were in a socially unsatisfactory

situation. When combined with the existing oppressive political system, the people's views on

liberalism and nationalism increased and dissatisfaction arose.

Another situation that needs to be mentioned at this point and has great relevance to the work

of art being analyzed is the increase in the value women received in society with the process

of revolutions that started with the 1830 revolution. Although it seemed that men were the

main leaders of the revolution due to the conditions of the period, women's thoughts,

speeches and actions also played an undeniable role in this process. Increasing demands and

vision in society resulted in the emergence of important women's movements, and exemplary

images of women were formed in Europe, which continued their influence in the following

years.

b) Cultural Views of the Period

The Restoration period was a period in which many different currents of thought emerged in

France. Literature, philosophy and art were influenced, diversified and revitalized by the

effects of the Revolution, the ideal of enlightenment, and the emergence of new movements

such as romanticism. Writers and thinkers who were suppressed by censorship made indirect

political criticisms in their works, and this was effective in increasing the society's desire for

change over time (Chisick, 1993).

a) Aesthetic View of the Period

The aesthetic perspective was quite diverse. Romanticism, an art and literature movement

that emphasized emotional expression, the beauty of nature and individual freedom, was on

the rise, so emotional intensity and dramatic expression were prominent in French art, as can

be easily seen in the artworks examined. Classical art, which emphasized aesthetic principles

and concepts such as balance, proportion and measure, was still influential, but its influence

began to decline with romanticism. Nevertheless, the importance given to the mentioned

elements can also be noticed in the work examined.

Art and literature are not independent of social events, they affect and are affected by them.

Therefore, the social and political events of that period affected the art and aesthetic

perspective of the period and progressed on an axis sensitive to social realities.

en plein air: It means "in the open air", meaning painting outside, directly from nature.

chiaroscuro: It is a technique of creating a feeling of volume and three-dimensionality by

using strong contrasts between light and shadow.

trompe-l'oeil: It means "deceive the eye", it is a technique of creating the illusion of three-

dimensional space or objects on a two-dimensional surface.

grisaille: It is a method of creating the impression of reality or relief with a single-color

palette using gray tones.

sfumato: It is a technique of creating a blurred, atmospheric effect by using soft, gradual

transitions between color and tone.

stippling: It is a drawing technique in which small, distinct dots or dashes are used to create

shadows, texture, or patterns.

tondo: It is a circular painting or relief sculpture mounted on a circular frame.

Boz, E. (n.d.). 1830 İhtilalleri ve Avrupa (thesis).

Chaulagain, Y. (2018). Visual position and juxtaposition: An analytical study of liberty

leading the people and Moon-woman cuts the Circle. Tribhuvan University Journal,

32(2), 191–202.

Chisick, H. (1993). The pamphlet literature of the French revolution: An overview. History of

European Ideas, 17(2-3), 149–166. doi:10.1016/0191-6599(93)90289-3

Gruner, S. (1968). IV. The Revolution of July 1830 and the Expression “Bourgeoisie.” The

Historical Journal, 11(03), 462. doi:10.1017/s0018246x00001631

Horn, M. (1992). great power diplomacy, 1814-1914, by Norman Rich. Canadian Journal of

History, 27(3), 598–600.

Oxford University Press. (n.d.). The Oxford Dictionary of Art. Oxford Reference.