Description
Liberty relates to Jean-François Millet's entrance into the 1848 competition for an official painted figure representing the second French Republic. Millet did not win the competition and his painted Republic no longer exists, but this representation of a related concept—liberty—was inspired by his contest participation. He also drew allegories of the other two fundamental concepts in French Republicanism: equality and fraternity.
Provenance
Quincy Adams Shaw [1825-1908], Boston, by descent within family (?-1908); Family of Quincy Adams Shaw, Boston (1908-1939); (Parke-Bernet, New York, Nov. 24, 1939, no. 12) (1939); Beatrice H. Shore, New York, sold to Shepherd Gallery, New York (?-1976); (Shepherd Gallery, New York, sold to Muriel Butkin, Shaker Heights, OH) (1976-); Muriel Butkin [1916-2008], Shaker Heights, OH, by bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1976-2008); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2008-)
Accession Number
2008.395
Medium
black chalk and pastel
Dimensions
Sheet: 47.2 x 31.7 cm (18 9/16 x 12 1/2 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
Bequest of Muriel Butkin