Liberty Leading the People
Eugène Delacroix · 1830
Why it's great
A woman holding the French flag charges over a barricade, with people of every background following her. Delacroix painted it after the 1830 July Revolution in Paris, and it turned a real uprising into a symbol of freedom. The drama, color and movement made it a landmark of Romantic painting. Its image of Liberty has inspired posters, stamps, and even the Statue of Liberty's story.
🏛️ Part of history
The French Revolution (1789–1799) — Delacroix's Liberty carries the tricolor over a barricade. It is about the 1830 uprising, but it became the image of the whole revolutionary spirit.
Independence & Revolutions (1820–1848) (1820–1848) — The 1830 July Revolution toppled the French king in three days, and Delacroix's Liberty became its symbol.
Where to see it
📍 Louvre MuseumParis, France
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Eugène Delacroix was born near Paris and became the leading painter of the Romantic movement in France. He lived mostly in Paris, but a trip to Morocco in 1832 filled his sketchbooks with bright colors and scenes that inspired him for life. He believed color and emotion mattered more than perfect outlines. Later artists like Monet and Van Gogh studied his work closely.
