Art Collections Online

Wisdom supporting Liberty

DALOU, Jules (1838 - 1902)

Date: 1889

Media: bronze

Size: 59.7 cm

Acquired: 1978; Purchase

Accession Number: NMW A 2515

The figure of Wisdom, dressed in a Corinthian helmet and classical robes, strenuously lifts a collapsing Liberty as her feet slide perilously over the edge of the sculpture base. She appears naked and vulnerable, apart from her ‘Phrygian Cap’ which was a potent symbol of French liberty and revolution. This cast is a small study for Dalou’s monument to the Republican politician Léon Gambetta.

Comments (6)

Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Sean
26 January 2021, 20:38
Are there prints of this available to purchase? I cannot seem to find any online, but would love to have this image framed.
Marc Haynes Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
6 December 2018, 13:32
Dear Brett,

Thank you very much for spotting this error, which we have now corrected.

Best wishes,

Marc
Digital Team
Brett
5 December 2018, 09:21
Wisdom is misspelled in the description as of 5-Dec-18
Sara Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
4 August 2016, 10:06

Hi there Terence,

Just to update you that you are right about the helmet - we have amended the record on the online collection and will be looking to change the gallery label as soon as we can. Thank you for your detective work and your contribution to our knowledge about the collections.

Best wishes,

Sara
Digital Team

Sara Huws Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales Staff
3 August 2016, 14:07

Dear Terence,

Thank you for your comment. I will pass it on to the curator, and post their reply here.

We hope you enjoyed your visit to the museum.

Sara
Digital Team

Terence Powell
3 August 2016, 13:58
On a recent visit to your museum I came across the above bronze and would like to ask if you could clarify why you describe the helmet as "Roman",as on research I find that it is not of Roman style but a Corinthian style helmet . Can you please explain this . Thank you
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