Libertas

A Reflection on Freedom, Resilience, and Rebirth

When I began working on Libertas, I was first drawn, almost inevitably, to the Statue of Liberty. For many of us, it is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world — a figure holding her torch aloft as a symbol of hope, welcome, and freedom. But as I researched further, I found myself going deeper, past the familiar image, to the roots of the figure itself: the Roman goddess Libertas. It was there, in the ancient myths, that the idea of freedom began to open itself up in new ways.

The Goddess Behind the Monument

In Roman mythology, Libertas was the embodiment of personal and political freedom. She was honored on coins, temples were built in her name, and she stood as a reminder that liberty was not something to be taken for granted, but something sacred to be protected. Unlike the modern statue, which carries a tablet and a torch, Libertas in her original form was often depicted with a wand or scepter, and sometimes with a cap — the pileus, worn by freed slaves as a symbol of their emancipation.

That imagery resonated with me. Liberty was never only about national identity or politics. It was also about personal release, about the resilience of the human spirit, and about rebirth after hardship. That broader sense of freedom was what I wanted to explore in this painting.

Between Myth and History

The Statue of Liberty itself, as many of you know, was a gift from France to the United States in the late 19th century, a gesture meant to celebrate independence and democracy. Over time, it became a beacon to immigrants arriving in New York, the first glimpse of a new life and possibility.

I find it fascinating how one figure can carry so many layers of meaning: ancient goddess, modern symbol, and personal metaphor. My approach to Libertas was not to reproduce the statue, but to reinterpret the mythological figure behind it and weave together these layers into something more personal.

Wings, Torch, and Mosaic Light

The central figure in the painting holds a torch, just as the statue does, but here it is also a flame of resilience — a light that pushes back against darkness. The wings were not part of the original Roman depictions, but I included them as a way of suggesting transformation, rebirth, and transcendence. They remind us that freedom often requires lifting ourselves beyond limitation, even when the weight of reality holds us down.

The background is built like a mosaic, a composition of many colors and shapes, radiating outward in rhythm. This was a deliberate choice. For me, freedom is never one single thing — it is made of many small parts: struggles, victories, losses, and hopes. The mosaic becomes both a structure and a reminder that resilience is created piece by piece.

The crown she wears echoes the Statue of Liberty, but also connects back to the idea of light — rays spreading outward. It frames her not as an untouchable monument but as a symbol made human, approachable, and open to interpretation.

Freedom as Rebirth

One of the ideas that guided me throughout this work was rebirth. Freedom is not something static that we are given once and keep forever. It is something fragile, something that must be renewed. Each generation, each person, faces the task of redefining and protecting it.

I wanted Libertas to hold that tension — not a frozen image of liberty, but a living one. The wings, the flame, and the movement in the colors all speak to the idea that freedom is a process, not a possession.

A Personal Note

Although this painting draws from history and mythology, it is also a personal reflection. For me, freedom is about resilience — the ability to stand up after difficulties and start again, transformed. In that sense, Libertas is not only about nations or societies but also about individuals. Each of us carries our own version of that torch.

I don’t see this painting as giving answers, but as raising questions: What does freedom mean to you? What do you feel when you look at her face, her wings, her light?

Art, for me, is not about imposing meaning but about opening space for dialogue. Libertas is my contribution to that dialogue.

Libertas

Oil painting on canvas

Size: 100 x 70 cm (39,4" x 27,5")

Original artwork available / Inquire here and make it yours! Prints available for sale here.