The Republic
1848
Here stands the French Republic herself, looking like a sturdy Roman goddess ready to govern. Painted right after the 1848 revolution, Dominique Louis Papety dressed her in classical robes to show stability, holding a staff topped with a hand of justice. Behind her, the dark wall is actually the text of the new Constitution, literally backing her up, while a beehive at her feet symbolizes the hard work of the citizens. It's a perfect example of Neoclassicism trying to make a brand new political idea look as ancient and permanent as a marble statue.
- Technique
- Oil painting
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