Die Freiheit

About this artwork

Modell für eine Giebelfigur des Palais Fries (heute Palais Pallavicini) am Josefsplatz in Wien.

Art Historical Context

**Die Freiheit (Liberty)** by Franz Anton Zauner (3) is a captivating plaster model, red-patinated to evoke the warmth of terracotta, standing at 51 cm tall. Housed in the Belvedere Collection in Vienna, this *Giebelfigur* (pediment figure) served as a preparatory maquette for a grand architectural sculpture. Zauner, a prominent Austrian neoclassical sculptor active in the late 18th century, it with precise modeling that highlights his mastery of dynamic forms suited to public monuments. Commissioned as a model for the pediment of Palais Fries—today known as Palais Pallavicini—on Vienna's prestigious Josefsplatz, the work embodies the Enlightenment ideals of the era under Emperor Joseph II. The allegorical figure of Liberty symbolizes freedom and civic virtue, a bold motif for a noble palace facade amid the Habsburg capital's architectural splendor. Pediment sculptures like this were key to neoclassical design, integrating sculpture seamlessly with architecture to convey grandeur and moral uplift. Zauner's red patina not only protected the fragile plaster but also mimicked enduring bronze or stone, allowing patrons to envision the final, weather-resistant installation. This intimate model offers visitors a rare glimpse into the creative process behind Vienna's imperial legacy, blending artistry with historical pomp.