La Liberté
Nanine Vallain
(c. 1760-1830)
Oil on canvas, (1793-4)
128 x 97 cm
Musée de la Révolution Francaise de Vizille
Vizille, France
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La Liberté Nanine Vallain (c. 1760-1830) Oil on canvas, (1793-4) 128 x 97 cm Musée de la Révolution Francaise de Vizille Vizille, France |
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La Liberté Allegorical representation of Liberty in post revolutionary France, a time when paintings, sculpture, posters and engravings celebrated the triumph of the Revolution over despotism. Adopting several of the historical symbols of Liberty, Vallain adds contemporary features in the gown and informal pose. Specific references include a broken crown, money (representing feudal corruption), Funeral Urn, The Phrygian Cap, scroll with the Declaration of the Rights of Man, Laurel Bush and Ivy, Weapons at the ready, fasces (equality and unity), Club (defense), and a Pyramid (honor) Vallain lived and trained in Paris, exhibited her paintings from about 1785 to 1810, and seems to have finished her artisitc career at that time following public criticism of her exhibitied work. She was married to a M. Pietre, and her works are sometimes cited under her married name. Among other works, she was known for her historical paintings. La Liberté was her most famous work, mounted in the Société des Jacobins until it cosed in 1794. It is significant that it is one of the few political statements by a woman artist of that era. The painting is on exhibit at the Musée de la Révolution Francaise de Vizille, Domaine de Vizille, Place du château, BP 1753 - 38220 Vizille. musee.revolution@cg38.fr "La Liberté " similarities to "Liberty Enlightening the World": - Woman draped with flowing gown - Symbolic Cap (Liberty Phrygian Cap) - Upraised arm - Foot crushing chains - Literature Reference in hand On the Web: Musée de la Révolution Francaise de Vizille Images of History (French) Modern Europe - University of Oregon
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