Among other notions, the early Romantic period is also thought to be about what is often called the "age of revolutions". The Romantics tended to describe and to present the imagination as our ultimate "shaping" or creative power, the rough human same of the creative powers of nature or even a delightful being.
Romantic artists understand things through their own emotions, and these emotions included social and political awareness, as one would expect in a period of revolution.
This painting, 'Liberty Leading The People' by Eugene Delacroix was done during the French revolution of 1830.
The artist has created a pyramid structure with Liberty as the highest point and the dead soldiers on the ground as the base. This shows a dramatic scene into a busy one.
The colours of the flag are not used just for artistic pleasure, they represent France and the Revolution.
The fighters are united with Liberty telling apart between the people was important to emphasize that all classes combined in this revolution to achieve a common goal.
Delacroix uses light delicately and sometimes in moderation. The halo from the smoke of the cannons and the sunlight forms around Liberty's head emphasizing her power.
The emotional rhythm of Delacroix's brushstrokes seemed to be central in his originality. In its variety one can see long and large, continuous strokes.
In today's era, the painting is still used and seen in various forms, for instance as the cover of the album (Viva La Vida) by Coldplay which was released in 2008.
Historical Considerations. 2009. Romanticisim. [ONLINE] Available
at:http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/rom.html. [Accessed 18 February 14].
