Synet No. 3. Kopi efter Frihed, Lighed og Broderskab 1748 - 1831

This is an anonymous etching, entitled "Synet No. 3. Kopi efter Frihed, Lighed og Broderskab," which translates as "Vision No. 3. Copy after Freedom, Equality, and Fraternity." It seems that the artist made this print in Denmark at some point after the French Revolution. The title evokes the lofty ideals of the revolution, but the image betrays a deep skepticism about them. "Freedom" is represented by two men in fancy dress, "Equality" by two donkeys yoked together, and "Fraternity" by a club-wielding figure beating another man senseless. The print deftly punctures the pretensions of revolutionary rhetoric by associating them with violence and stupidity. As art historians, we are interested in how political ideas are translated into visual form, and in what the public role of art might be. To understand the print more fully, we might investigate the political climate in Denmark at the time and look for other examples of satirical prints commenting on contemporary events. By considering the social and institutional context in which it was produced, we can appreciate the print's critical perspective on the legacy of the French Revolution.