With this painting Delacroix responded to the July revolution of 1830 against Charles X (king of France 1824-30) and absolutism in France, which finished with serious democratic reforms. As a result the new 'citizen king' Louis-Phillippe was elected and his power was restricted; France became a bourgeois monarchy. Delacroix wrote to his brother, a general: ‘Since I have not fought and conquered for the fatherland, I can at least paint on its behalf.’ To the left of Liberty, a man wearing a top hat, is Delacroix himself. The boy with pistols on the right was perhaps the inspiration for the character of Gavroche in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. The new king Louis-Phillippe bought the work for 3,000 francs, but never exhibited it. Clementoni HistoryConsidering how Italy is well known and often associated with fine art and rich culture, it only makes sense that a well established Italian jigsaw puzzle manufacturer would be known for similar qualities. Clementoni produces puzzles with iconic paintings from many of the great masters as well as breathtaking photographs of land and cityscapes. In addition to creating a line of jigsaw puzzles with elegance and attention to detail, Clementoni also uses recycled and other earth-friendly materials in their commitment to the environment. |