The Contrast, 1793 British Liberty/French Liberty
Annotation
In this color print from 1793, the height of the Terror, two circular drawings appear next to each other, contrasting two types of liberty. English liberty exists, as the figure suggests, but based on the Magna Carta, calm prevails. Representing French liberty is an uncontrolled, unruly woman, a killer and destroyer. That a woman represents both sides remains interesting in light of the fact that women were excluded from office.
Text
Caption
Religion, morality, loyalty, obedience, personal security, justice, inheritance, protection of property, industry, national prosperity, happiness | Atheism, perjury, rebellion, madness, cruelty, injustice, treachery, ingratitude, idleness, famine, national & private ruin, misery. | Which is best?
Credits
de Vinck. Un siècle d'histoire de France par l'estampe, 1770-1870. Vol. 45 (pièces 6109-6282), Ancien Régime et Révolution.
Bibliothèque nationale de France, département Estampes et photographie, RESERVE QB-370 (45)-FT 4.