It commemorates the July Revolution and more specifically the events of 28th July 1830 in Paris. An allegorical figure of Liberty, a bare-footed and bare-breasted goddess-like woman carrying the tricolore flag of the French Revolution and wearing the popular red cap of liberty leads the fighters, which range across the classes from the bourgeoisie man in the top hat to the lower class boy wearing a beret and holding the pistols.

Although Delacroix never fought in the revolution he experienced life on the barricades and knew many of the people who fought and died for freedom. In a letter to his brother Charles about his painting he wrote "if I have not fought for my country at least I’ll paint for her".

The painting became controversial after being bought by the French government. It was to be a reminder of the “citizen king”, Louis-Philippe, who came to power through the July Revolution, but it was removed after a few months because of its inflammatory political message. In the following years it was only exhibited briefly until 1874 when it was hung in it’s present position in the Louvre.