La Marseilleise Flashcards
subject?
A bas relief sculpture commemorating the victory of the volunteer Citizen Army against
Austrian forces at the Battle of Valmy in 1792.
Size and location?
Monumental size (12.8 m) is due to the sculpture’s location on the right-hand side of
the Arc de Triumph facing the Champs Elysees.
Composition?
The female warrior (upper register) and the central male figure (lower register) echo
each otherin their pose, gesture and gaze, creating a sense of visual unity. They are
placed so as to create a vertical line within the composition drawing the eye upwards
to the dramatic expression of the woman’s face.
Overlap between the Romantic and Neoclassical style?
Demonstrates the overlap between the two 19th c artistic styles of Romanticism and
Neoclassicism. The influence of the Neoclassical style can be seen in the classicallyinspired costume, idealised figures and moral subject matter. The emotionally charged
faces, dynamic energy and Nationalist sentiment demonstrate the influence of the
Romantic style
The female warrior?
Represents the victorious spirit of Liberty - sometimes referred to as Marianne-the
female physical embodiment of France during the 1789 Revolution. Dressed in Classical
clothing to signify her allegorical status. Her Phrygian cap is a classical symbol of
freedom.
The volunteers?
Represent the ordinary men of France whorallied to protect their country from attack
& form a citizen army. All the overlap and interactwith each other to form a visual
embodiment of the ideals of the French Revolution: liberty, equality and brotherhood.
Amour and plumed helmets?
Armour recalls the greatness of classical Rome. Flowing beards and plumed helmets are
a romanticized reference to ancient Gaul (pre-classical France) enhancing the patriotic
message of the sculpture.
Republican/Revolutionary message?
The title is a reference to the patriotic rallying cry sung by the French citizen army
during their march to Paris. It was adopted by the Revolutionary government as their
national anthem. The victory of the volunteer ‘citizen’ Army raised to defend France
from threat of invasion stimulated Revolutionary opinion within France.
Sculptural programme of the arch?
Rude’s sculpture is one of four major sculptures on the arch – each marking a key
moment in Revolutionary and Imperial France. They can be interpreted as a visual
representations of Louis Philipe’s aims to create a new foundation-myth of the postBourbon French state.
Propaganda for Louis Philippe?
Completed at the start of his reign, where he styled himself as ‘the Citizen King’ in
contrast to the unpopular previous Bourbon monarch Charles X. The iconography of
Rude’s sculpture reflects the king’s initially more liberal ideals and garner public
sympathy.
The Arc de Triumph?
Napoleon commissioned the arch in 1806, however by the time Napoleon
abdicated in 1814 the arch was about 1/3rd complete. After the July Revolution of
1830, the newly-appointed King Louis-Philippe ordered the arch be completed to
honour the Revolutionary & Citizen armies.
King Louis Philipe
As a young man Louis Philippe supported the First French Revolution & himself fought at the Battle of
Valmy with the Citizen Army. Following the July 1830 Revolution, he replaced the Bourbon monarch Charles X , styling himself as the Citizen King. Initially, he was popular due to his more liberal and republican sentiments. However, his reign became increasingly politically
conservative and he was criticised for corruption and royal overspending. He was forced to abdicate in the Revolution of 1848, prompting the start of the Second French Republic.
Patronage/Propaganda?
A paradoxical piece of propaganda, for in eulogising the Revolutionary army who
fought against the threat of an invasion that sought to restore the monarchy, the
work also helps to lend credibility to Louis-Philippe, the ruling monarch.
Limestone?
Traditional material (dating back to Roman times) for large building
projects/sculptural programmes. Softer, less expensive material than marble. Easier
to undercutto achieve a wide variety of shapes & textures- particularly in large
scale work where the fine detail (fine grain) possible in marble sculpture isn’t
appropriate.
Political Identity?
Neoclassicism was the unofficial style of the French Revolution -therefore
demonstrates Louis Philipe’s attempt to garner public support by aligning his
reign with the Enlightenment and revolutionary ideals of rationality, order and
individual liberty.
