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Artwork of the French Revolution

This activity analyzes a famous painting. In 1789, French painter Jean-Jacques-François Le Barbier, painted an allegory of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Carefully look at each aspect of the painting and answer the associated questions.

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Meet the painting

Quickly scan the painting. What do you notice first?

Observe its parts

Look at the visuals. List the people, objects, places, and activities in the painting.

Look at the visuals. Are there any symbols?

Does the painting try to persuade mainly through words, visuals, or both equally?

Write one sentence summarizing this painting.

How many articles does the painting depict?

Try to make sense of it

When is this from?

What was happening at the time in history this poster was created?

Who do you think is the intended audience?

Interpret the meaning of the various symbols depicted in the painting. The woman on the left, the broken chain she is holding, the red Phrygian cap on the end of a spear, the bundle of sticks enclosing the spear, the all-seeing eye, etc.

Use it as historical evidence

What did you find out from this painting that you might not learn anywhere else?

What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand this event or topic?

When you're done

The French revolutionaries drew on appropriate aspects of classical and religious imagery, familiar under the Old Regime, and adapted them to a new ideology after 1789. This painting embodies some of those ideologies that were present during the early days of the French Revolution.

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To the extent possible under law, Randy Wells has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to “Artwork of the French Revolution”

Meet the painting

Observe its parts

Try to make sense of it

Use it as historical evidence

When you're done

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