Shortly after the July revolution of 1830 Eugene Delacroix painted LA LIBERTE GUIDANT LE PEUPLE commemorating the overthrow of the Bourbon king Charles X. The new king Louis Philippe bought the painting, but never hung it in the Palais de Luxembourg, as its subject matter was too revolutionary even for the 'Citizen King'.
According to Wikipedia he wrote his brother a letter saying, "My bad mood is vanishing thanks to hard work. I’ve embarked on a modern subject—a barricade. And if I haven’t fought for my country at least I’ll paint for her."
The painting remained under wraps, until its purchase by the Louvre in 1874.
To this day the masterpiece remains a symbol of Liberte for France and the World.
Viva la Mariana.
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