Art, Music and Art, Music and Symbolism of the French Symbolism of the French

RevolutionRevolution

The MarseillaiseThe Marseillaise

The Liberty/Phrygian CapThe Liberty/Phrygian Cap

Images of "Liberty" in Roman times Images of "Liberty" in Roman times carried at the end of a pike a conical carried at the end of a pike a conical hat that covered the head of a freed hat that covered the head of a freed slave.slave.

These caps symbolized freedom from These caps symbolized freedom from slavery, and were used to represent slavery, and were used to represent freedom from despotism in the freedom from despotism in the Revolution.Revolution.

These caps were similar to what the These caps were similar to what the common people of the eighteenth common people of the eighteenth century wore and, in particular, the century wore and, in particular, the conquerors of the Bastille.conquerors of the Bastille.

LIONROOSTER

FASCES

SYMBOLS OF THEREVOLUTION

Lions were used as symbols of force – the Lions were used as symbols of force – the power of the Revolution. They carried caps power of the Revolution. They carried caps on pikes in some images, just as Liberty on pikes in some images, just as Liberty and the revolutionaries did.and the revolutionaries did.

Roosters were symbols of vigilance (for Roosters were symbols of vigilance (for example, a rooster crows at dawn to wake example, a rooster crows at dawn to wake farmers.)farmers.)

Fasces were bundles of sticks with an axe Fasces were bundles of sticks with an axe sticking out of them. In Rome they sticking out of them. In Rome they represented the power of certain represented the power of certain magistrates who could order the beating of magistrates who could order the beating of a criminal. The judges’ assistants, called a criminal. The judges’ assistants, called licteurs, did the work with sticks. These licteurs, did the work with sticks. These fasces became the symbol of union and fasces became the symbol of union and accord. It is from them that we also get the accord. It is from them that we also get the term, term, fascismfascism..

EYE

LEVEL

PYRAMID

SCALETRIANGLE

Triangles: Universal symbols of Triangles: Universal symbols of perfection and balance (e.g. the perfection and balance (e.g. the Trinity, the “magic number” 3). Also a Trinity, the “magic number” 3). Also a Masonic symbol.Masonic symbol.

Scale: Symbol of balance, equality, Scale: Symbol of balance, equality, justice.justice.

Pyramid: Symbol of eternity (Egyptian Pyramid: Symbol of eternity (Egyptian tombs).tombs).

Level: Masonic tool and symbol of Level: Masonic tool and symbol of equality (natural rights).equality (natural rights).

Eye: Masonic symbol, symbol of God; Eye: Masonic symbol, symbol of God; in Revolution, used to symbolize in Revolution, used to symbolize vigilance and watchfulness.vigilance and watchfulness.

Epée

Crosier Beehive

Handshake

•Epée (Sword): Symbol of the Second Epée (Sword): Symbol of the Second Estate (nobility); Crosier: Symbol of the Estate (nobility); Crosier: Symbol of the First Estate (clergy) – both are shown First Estate (clergy) – both are shown united with the cap, a symbol of the united with the cap, a symbol of the Third Estate.Third Estate.•Handshake: Symbol of Fraternity, one Handshake: Symbol of Fraternity, one of the revolutionary virtues; also a of the revolutionary virtues; also a Masonic rite.Masonic rite.•Beehive: Symbol of collective work.Beehive: Symbol of collective work.

LIBERTY TREE

TABLETS

HYDRA

Liberty Tree: Planted as a symbol of life, it Liberty Tree: Planted as a symbol of life, it relates to national freedom and the relates to national freedom and the perpetuation of the Revolution and Republic. perpetuation of the Revolution and Republic. This image dates from 1792 when the This image dates from 1792 when the Legislative Assembly made it official. The tree Legislative Assembly made it official. The tree takes on a sacred value and to knock it down takes on a sacred value and to knock it down became a criminal act. The Liberty Tree was became a criminal act. The Liberty Tree was also a symbol of the American Revolution.also a symbol of the American Revolution.

Tablets: The Declaration of the Rights of Man Tablets: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was depicted on tablets, identifying and Citizen was depicted on tablets, identifying it with the tablets bearing the Ten it with the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments from the Bible.Commandments from the Bible.

Hydra: Mythological creature with many heads Hydra: Mythological creature with many heads – when one is cut off, two more grow in its – when one is cut off, two more grow in its place. It symbolized monarchy and aristocracy place. It symbolized monarchy and aristocracy in the Revolution.in the Revolution.

The Three Estates on Their The Three Estates on Their Way to VersaillesWay to Versailles

Left: The carriage is driven by a Left: The carriage is driven by a member of the clergy, while a noble member of the clergy, while a noble sits up top and abuses a commoner sits up top and abuses a commoner sitting on the back.sitting on the back.

Right: A member of the Third Estate Right: A member of the Third Estate chases after the carriage driven by chases after the carriage driven by the members of the First and Second the members of the First and Second Estates while another is trampled.Estates while another is trampled.

Both images symbolize the inequality Both images symbolize the inequality of the Three Estates.of the Three Estates.

Louis XVI Aiding His PeopleLouis XVI Aiding His People

This pre-Revolution image depicts This pre-Revolution image depicts Louis being generous to his subjects, Louis being generous to his subjects, giving the poor alms.giving the poor alms.

This might be read either as a This might be read either as a sympathetic portrayal of the king, or a sympathetic portrayal of the king, or a subtle commentary on inequality – subtle commentary on inequality – note the difference between the note the difference between the king's clothing and that of his king's clothing and that of his subjects.subjects.

Louis XVI and LafayetteLouis XVI and Lafayette

Early in the Revolution, when the goal Early in the Revolution, when the goal was constitutional monarchy, was constitutional monarchy, attempts were made to tie the king to attempts were made to tie the king to the Revolution.the Revolution.

Louis is depicted with Lafayette, a Louis is depicted with Lafayette, a French noble and hero of the French noble and hero of the American Revolutionary War, who was American Revolutionary War, who was very popular in the early years of the very popular in the early years of the French Revolution.French Revolution.

Louis XVI Wearing the CapLouis XVI Wearing the Cap

The first image depicts Louis wearing the The first image depicts Louis wearing the liberty cap, tying him to the goals of the liberty cap, tying him to the goals of the Revolution.Revolution.

The second image depicts Louis less The second image depicts Louis less flatteringly, wearing the cap but dressing flatteringly, wearing the cap but dressing him like a bumbling shopkeeper.him like a bumbling shopkeeper.

The third image shows Louis being The third image shows Louis being forced to wear the cap by revolutionaries forced to wear the cap by revolutionaries (which actually happened).(which actually happened).

Louis XVI: Three Perspectives, One Goal

The image on the left depicts Louis The image on the left depicts Louis XVI as an irresponsible drunk.XVI as an irresponsible drunk.

The image on the upper right depicts The image on the upper right depicts him as an even more brazenly him as an even more brazenly irresponsible and laughable drunk, irresponsible and laughable drunk, with animalized members of the with animalized members of the clergy in tow.clergy in tow.

The image on the lower right depicts The image on the lower right depicts him riding a pig – a decidedly un-him riding a pig – a decidedly un-kingly role. The association of pigs kingly role. The association of pigs and other animals with the royals and other animals with the royals increased as the Revolution wore on increased as the Revolution wore on and Louis became less popular.and Louis became less popular.

The King and QueenThe King and Queen

In these images, Louis XVI and Marie In these images, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are depicted as a demonic Antoinette are depicted as a demonic swine and a draconic harpy, swine and a draconic harpy, respectively.respectively.

Such images are quite obviously anti-Such images are quite obviously anti-monarchy.monarchy.

The Royal AnimalsThe Royal Animals

In the left image, Louis XVI and Marie In the left image, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are depicted as a two-Antoinette are depicted as a two-headed, animal-like monster of some headed, animal-like monster of some form.form.

In the right image, (of British origin) In the right image, (of British origin) the royal family is shown as a series the royal family is shown as a series of animals being led to prison. This of animals being led to prison. This image was made to depict the arrest image was made to depict the arrest of the royal family for treason.of the royal family for treason.

The Fall of the BastilleThe Fall of the Bastille

In the left image, the Bastille is an In the left image, the Bastille is an imposing fortress which dwarfs the imposing fortress which dwarfs the revolutionaries.revolutionaries.

In the right image, the Bastille is In the right image, the Bastille is dwarfed by a gigantic revolutionary dwarfed by a gigantic revolutionary with a massive lion, symbolizing the with a massive lion, symbolizing the victory of the Third Estate.victory of the Third Estate.

The Tennis Court Oath

The top image is a famous depiction The top image is a famous depiction of the Tennis Court Oath, painted in a of the Tennis Court Oath, painted in a heroic style.heroic style.

The bottom image goes even further, The bottom image goes even further, by including allegorical symbols of by including allegorical symbols of angelic figures, identifying the rise of angelic figures, identifying the rise of the Third Estate with providence.the Third Estate with providence.

Revolutionary Meetings: Three Perspectives

The image on the left depicts the president The image on the left depicts the president of a revolutionary council as a lazy oaf, of a revolutionary council as a lazy oaf, signifying an anti-Revolution perspective.signifying an anti-Revolution perspective.

The top right image shows a dignified The top right image shows a dignified revolutionary meeting, suggesting that revolutionary meeting, suggesting that these are professionals at work.these are professionals at work.

The bottom left image depicts the meeting The bottom left image depicts the meeting of a political club as a circus, which could of a political club as a circus, which could be read as either supporting or opposing be read as either supporting or opposing the Revolution. Supporting because it the Revolution. Supporting because it shows the club banding together diverse shows the club banding together diverse members, or opposing because circuses are members, or opposing because circuses are hardly serious, dignified affairs.hardly serious, dignified affairs.

THE ARREST OF

THE ROYAL FAMILY

Top left: The royal family is Top left: The royal family is confronted by town guards.confronted by town guards.

Bottom left: The royal family is Bottom left: The royal family is arrested only feet away from escape.arrested only feet away from escape.

Center: The royal family is indoors Center: The royal family is indoors when revolutionaries barge in and when revolutionaries barge in and arrest them.arrest them.

Top right: Marie Antoinette tries to Top right: Marie Antoinette tries to protect her family from the guards.protect her family from the guards.

Bottom right: The victorious guards Bottom right: The victorious guards surround the carriage and force the surround the carriage and force the family back to Paris.family back to Paris.

The Execution of Louis XVI

Top left: The executioner gleefully Top left: The executioner gleefully shows Louis XVI's head to the crowd. shows Louis XVI's head to the crowd. The head faces a liberty cap on a The head faces a liberty cap on a pike.pike.

Bottom left: Louis is shown facing the Bottom left: Louis is shown facing the sky, depicting him in a more innocent, sky, depicting him in a more innocent, tragic light, thereby making him tragic light, thereby making him appear more sympathetic.appear more sympathetic.

A commemorative plate of the event, A commemorative plate of the event, with Louis' severed head shown with Louis' severed head shown dripping blood. Louis is referred to dripping blood. Louis is referred to only as “Louis Capet,” the name he only as “Louis Capet,” the name he was called after being stripped of his was called after being stripped of his title.title.

Ramifications of the Ramifications of the ExecutionExecution

Left: In this British image, the death of Left: In this British image, the death of Louis XVI is shown unleashing the Louis XVI is shown unleashing the legions of Hell – a statement about legions of Hell – a statement about the danger of the Revolution the danger of the Revolution spreading to other countries. Louis spreading to other countries. Louis himself is being shined upon by God's himself is being shined upon by God's light.light.

Right: The blood of Louis' severed Right: The blood of Louis' severed head is crying out for vengeance in head is crying out for vengeance in this image of similar persuasion to the this image of similar persuasion to the left.left.

Both images depict British fears and Both images depict British fears and condemnation of the Revolution.condemnation of the Revolution.

FATES OF THE FIRST AND SECOND ESTATES

Top left: A formerly-noble couple is forced to walk Top left: A formerly-noble couple is forced to walk without a carriage, and is splashed by mud from a without a carriage, and is splashed by mud from a passing dog. This symbolizes the humiliation which passing dog. This symbolizes the humiliation which nobles had to endure in the Revolution.nobles had to endure in the Revolution.

Bottom left: Members of the clergy depicted as Bottom left: Members of the clergy depicted as having long noses – a symbol of derision usually having long noses – a symbol of derision usually reserved for anti-Semitic works. Also a symbol of reserved for anti-Semitic works. Also a symbol of deceptiveness.deceptiveness.

Top right: Fat members of the clergy are squeezed Top right: Fat members of the clergy are squeezed thin with a vise, representing the greed and thin with a vise, representing the greed and corruption of the Church being cleansed by the corruption of the Church being cleansed by the Revolution.Revolution.

Bottom right: A bishop is forced to vomit out the Bottom right: A bishop is forced to vomit out the privileges of the First Estate under the Old Regime.privileges of the First Estate under the Old Regime.

““Welcome to Hades, a… Not-So-Welcome to Hades, a… Not-So-Friendly Community”Friendly Community”

Louis XVI Arrives in Hell Robespierre and His Followers Arrive in Hell

In these images, fallen despotic In these images, fallen despotic leaders are greeted in Hell, sans leaders are greeted in Hell, sans heads. Louis is greeted by fellow heads. Louis is greeted by fellow members of the aristocracy who were members of the aristocracy who were guillotined, while Robespierre meets guillotined, while Robespierre meets the heads of those he has sentenced.the heads of those he has sentenced.

These images are meant to show that These images are meant to show that these former enemies of the people these former enemies of the people are going to be justly punished in Hell are going to be justly punished in Hell for their crimes.for their crimes.

THE MANY DEATHS OF JEAN-PAUL

MARAT

Top left: A cartoon showing a menacing Top left: A cartoon showing a menacing Charlotte Corday stabbing a shocked Marat. Charlotte Corday stabbing a shocked Marat. Note the exaggerated style and the fact that Note the exaggerated style and the fact that Marat is not in his bath.Marat is not in his bath.

Bottom left: Marat is shown passive and Bottom left: Marat is shown passive and sainted as Corday stabs him in his bath. His sainted as Corday stabs him in his bath. His wife cries out.wife cries out.

Center: In this British cartoon, a powerful-Center: In this British cartoon, a powerful-looking Corday kills the more buffoonish Marat looking Corday kills the more buffoonish Marat (again outside of his bath).(again outside of his bath).

Top right: Corday is led out of the room Top right: Corday is led out of the room following her assassination of Marat, as his following her assassination of Marat, as his housekeeper weeps.housekeeper weeps.

Bottom right: Marat's death is embellished with Bottom right: Marat's death is embellished with various supernatural beings meant to various supernatural beings meant to emphasize his goodness and Corday's evil. emphasize his goodness and Corday's evil. Liberty (with fasces) comforts Marat as Liberty (with fasces) comforts Marat as demons tear at Corday.demons tear at Corday.

Secular Saint and Saintly Secular Saint and Saintly KillerKiller

Left: Marat is depicted as a new sort Left: Marat is depicted as a new sort of saint, with a halo of stars (curious, of saint, with a halo of stars (curious, as Marat was critical of the Church.)as Marat was critical of the Church.)

Right: Charlotte Corday is depicted as Right: Charlotte Corday is depicted as a pure maiden, showing some a pure maiden, showing some sympathy for the assassin.sympathy for the assassin.

Revolutionaries and CounterrevolutionariesRevolutionaries and Counterrevolutionaries

Left: In this British image dating from a Left: In this British image dating from a few decades following the French few decades following the French Revolution, revolutionaries are depicted Revolution, revolutionaries are depicted as grotesque figures, malnourished, as grotesque figures, malnourished, drunk, and filled with bloodlust, drunk, and filled with bloodlust, surrounding a flaming guillotine while surrounding a flaming guillotine while axes drip blood upon them.axes drip blood upon them.

Right: A revolutionary depiction of Right: A revolutionary depiction of counterrevolutionaries, painting them as counterrevolutionaries, painting them as effeminate, twisted caricatures.effeminate, twisted caricatures.

British ImpressionsBritish Impressions

Left: In this cartoon by the well-known Left: In this cartoon by the well-known James Gillray, Charles Fox (a prominent James Gillray, Charles Fox (a prominent British Whig politician, friend of the Prince British Whig politician, friend of the Prince of Wales, and sympathizer with the French of Wales, and sympathizer with the French Revolution) is depicted as if he were a Revolution) is depicted as if he were a sans-sans-culottesculottes, though wearing no pants at all and , though wearing no pants at all and breaking wind. He is shown singing a breaking wind. He is shown singing a revolutionary song and has blood on his revolutionary song and has blood on his hands.hands.

Right: This image shows British impressions Right: This image shows British impressions of the two regimes: On the left is an of the two regimes: On the left is an effeminate French noble, bowing in effeminate French noble, bowing in deference to the revolutionary on the right, deference to the revolutionary on the right, depicted as stern and unfriendly.depicted as stern and unfriendly.

It'll Be OkayIt'll Be Okay

Tremble, TyrantsTremble, Tyrants

In this revolutionary image, swords In this revolutionary image, swords are used to strike fear into the hearts are used to strike fear into the hearts of tyrants – or members of the First of tyrants – or members of the First and Second Estates.and Second Estates.

In one of his speeches, Robespierre In one of his speeches, Robespierre defended the use of terror against defended the use of terror against accusations that it was a tool of accusations that it was a tool of despotism by comparing the sword of despotism by comparing the sword of the patriotic defenders of liberty to the patriotic defenders of liberty to the sword of the armies of tyrants: the sword of the armies of tyrants: terror and swords were merely tools, terror and swords were merely tools, which could serve good or evil ends.which could serve good or evil ends.