The painting is called "Liberty Leading the People" (La Liberté guidant le Peuple).
The French artist Eugène Delacroix painted it in the autumn of 1830 in the memory of the July Revolution of 1830, where one king, Charles X, was overthrown by another, Louis-Philippe.
The woman is Marianne and she is the symbol of the French nation. She represents Liberty leading the people over the bodies of the fallen. In her hands she has the French flag, where the colours "Bleu-Blanc-Rouge" symbolize "Liberté - Egalité - Fraternité" from the revolution of 1789 and a weapon. On her head she has a Phrygian cap, which is also a symbol of freedom from 1789.
Check further on the reasons for the revolution here:
Why was Charles X removed from the throne?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Revolution
- Analyse the lyrics of the song "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay.
Who is telling the story? Who is the "I" in the text?
What is "I"'s problem/dilemma? What is "I" talking about?
What is the message?
- Watch the video-clip below.
Think about what the images chosen represent.
Where is the clip situated?
Who are the people in the pictures?
- Share you ideas with the rest of the class.
- Sing together with Chris Martin and Coldplay.
