Departure of the Volunteers of 1792

The Departure of the Volunteers of 1792, also known as La Marseillaise, is a dynamic and emotional sculpture by French artist François Rude. Created between 1833 and 1836, it is a prominent feature on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Rude's work is characterized by its departure from classical repose, favoring instead a style that stirs public interest and emotion. This particular sculpture depicts a group of volunteers from the Revolutionary campaign of 1792, embodying a romantic and impetuous spirit. Rude's approach to sculpture, with its emphasis on expressive language and dynamic forms, set him apart from the prevailing Neoclassical style of his time.12