The Barricade, rue de la Mortellerie, June 1848 (Memory of Civil War) 1849

Ernest Meissonier painted this small oil on wood panel in 1848, capturing a haunting scene of civil strife. The stones, hastily piled to form a barricade, speak of desperate measures and the defense of ideals, embodying the spirit of resistance seen throughout history. Consider how these stones echo the ancient Roman roads, also symbols of civic order and now repurposed for conflict. It is not dissimilar to medieval fortress walls, which became battlegrounds. This motif of repurposed construction material highlights the cyclical nature of conflict, where symbols of stability become instruments of division. The cobblestone, underfoot and overlooked, rises in revolt – much like the collective subconscious surging into consciousness. Observe how the arrangement of bodies evokes classical deposition scenes. The power of this image lies in its ability to tap into our collective memory, stirring subconscious anxieties. The barricade, then, becomes not just a physical barrier, but a potent symbol of humanity's ongoing struggle.