The French artist, Fredrick Sorrieu prepared a series of four prints visualising his dream of the world made up of ‘democratic and social republics’.

His First Print showed people of Europe and America – men and women of all ages and social classes – marching in a long train, and offering homage to the Statue of Liberty as they pass by it. Liberty is of course personified as a woman, bearing the torch of Enlightenment in one hand and the charter of the Rights of Man in the other. (The artists of this time of French Revolution portrayed Liberty as a female figure.) On the earth, in the foreground of the image,lay the shattered remains of the symbols of Absolute institutions. Leading the procession, way past the statue of Liberty, are the United States and Switzerland which were at that time already
nation states. In his print of Sorrieu; people of the world are grouped together as distinct nations, identified through their flags and national costume. France, distinguished by its tricolour flag, has just reached the statue, and she is followed by Germany with their black and gold flag. (Germany was not yet united, but in 1848, when this painting was made, it expressed the hopes of the nation.) Peoples of Austria, kingdoms of two Sicilis, Lombardy, Poland,England, Ireland, Hungary and Russia follow in that order. From the heavens, Christ, saints and angels gaze upon the scene. They have been used to symbolise the fraternity among the nations of the world.

Frederic Sorrieu was a French artist who visualized his dream of a world where people are united and free from tyranny. He created a series of lithographs known as the "Ideal Republics" which depicted his vision of a world of liberty, equality, and fraternity. His lithographs were created during the mid-19th century, a time when Europe was undergoing a period of intense nationalism.

Visualizing his dream

Sorrieu's lithographs were divided into three parts, each of which depicted a different stage in the evolution of the Ideal Republic.

1. The first part of the lithographs showed the "Peoples of Europe" united under a single banner. This image depicted people of different nationalities holding hands and standing together, symbolizing the unity of Europe.

2. The second part of the lithographs showed the "The Triumph of the Republic." This image depicted the people of Europe overthrowing their tyrannical rulers and establishing a democratic republic. The image showed the people breaking the chains of oppression and celebrating their newfound freedom.

3. The third part of the lithographs showed the "The International and Fraternal Association of Peoples." This image depicted people of different nationalities embracing each other, symbolizing the fraternity of all people. This image showed the people of Europe living in peace and harmony, free from the ravages of war and nationalism.

In conclusion, Frederic Sorrieu visualized his dream of a world united under the banner of liberty, equality, and fraternity through his series of lithographs known as the "Ideal Republics." His lithographs were a powerful message of hope and optimism during a time when Europe was undergoing a period of intense nationalism.