Symbolism in The
FREEDOM Painting

All five freedoms in the first Amendment to the Constitution are in the painting

1.       Religion - Five religious leaders

2.       Speech -  The newspaper says Vote Yes

3.       Press - Newspaper held by a student

4.       Assembly - All 17 people gathered together

5.       Petition - The Jewish Rabbi is holding a petition

There are 17 people including the baby in the painting

The five faith leaders

1.       Catholic Priest

2.       Protestant Minister

3.       Buddhist Monk

4.       Jewish Rabbi

5.       Muslim Imam

Other symbols – you can discover many more:

The European immigrant with baby is being supported by the Catholic Priest (leaning on her faith)

The European immigrant might also represent a single parent family

The Hispanic Family, Father, Mother and Son represent the traditional family in America.  

The family unit is positioned at the painting's center to highlight its significance.

The broken chain on Lady Liberty’s foot represents the abolition of slavery

Several people are holding hands or otherwise touching one another symbolizing the harmony, trust and interdependence we have on each other

People are moving toward the light of Liberty’s torch out of the darkness symbolizes freedom (Liberty) leading us away from evil (darkness)

The soldier is poised with his rifle in front of and looking out into the distance.  Symbolizes that our military is there to protect us all and defend our freedoms.

Colors reflecting on individuals in close proximity to each other show how we inadvertently affect one another.