Catalogue Number
NMLH.1994.168.135
Object Name
Poster
Title
Republique Universelle Democratique et Sociale
Place
France
People
Frederic Sorrieu
Events
Parisian Revolution
Date
1848
Description
This is a poster displaying a print of 'Le Pacte' /''L'Utopisme Republicain de 1848' by Frederic Sorrieu. Part of a series of four prints titled 'Republique Universelle Democratique et Sociale', these prints envisioned his dream of a world made up of 'democratic and social republics', 'L'utopisme Republicain de 1848' or 'The Republican Utopianism of 1848' depicts victory after the Parisian revolution of 1848 which successfully overthrew Louis-Phillippe and established the Second Republic of France, granting universal suffrage to its citizens. In the print, charters and crowns are littered on the floor as a procession of people marches past. The people at the front are waving a flag which reads 'France' whilst 'Allemagne', 'Autriche', 'Deux-Siciles', 'Lombardie'and others follow. A Christ like figure hovers above the scene beairing a cross, the word 'FRATERNITE' shining above him as cherubs sit amongst the clouds, watching on. This is perhaps meant to demonstrate Sorrieu's hope that the
Parisian uprising would inspire other uprisings in countries and capitals across Europe, represented here as a procession of European nations (in which people of all sexes, ages and social classes mingle) marching past a tree of freedom, then a statue of the allegory of the Republic. This print was produced in 1848 by Frederic Sorrieu; it had tearing at the edges and dirt lies across the page. It is mounted in a cardboard frame for conservation purposes.
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