Allegorie op de Franse constitutie 1792 - 1799

Jacques Louis Copia created this allegory on the French constitution as an engraving, a medium that lends itself well to the clear depiction of symbolic details. Three female figures dominate the scene, each laden with meaning. On the left, an allegorical figure representing the new constitution is holding a staff topped with a Gallic rooster. A symbol of vigilance and resurrection, the rooster here embodies the hopes for a reborn France. Beside her stands a figure wearing a helmet: the symbol of wisdom and justice, both essential for governance. On the right, the abundance is represented by a woman followed by joyful children. Note how the symbol of abundance, often depicted with overflowing cornucopias in classical art, is here subtly altered. The children represent a break from the old regime and embody the hopes for a bountiful future, suggesting that the true wealth of a nation lies in its people. Such alterations remind us that symbols are not static; they evolve, reflecting changing societal values and subconscious desires, in a constant cycle of reinterpretation.