The scene depicts a dramatic historical uprising, centered on a heroic female figure who embodies Liberty. She stands tall atop a barricade, wearing a loose-fitting yellow dress and a Phrygian cap, brandishing a tricolour flag of France high above her head. She is surrounded by a diverse group of revolutionaries, including a man in a top hat holding a musket, a young boy brandishing pistols, and others clutching various weapons, all surging forward through a chaotic landscape of smoke and rubble.
The composition is dynamic and pyramidal, drawing the viewer's eye upward toward the elevated figure of Liberty. The foreground is filled with the bodies of fallen soldiers, emphasizing the heavy toll of the revolution, while the background dissolves into a hazy, turbulent sky and the faint outline of city buildings partially obscured by dense grey smoke. The figures are captured in a moment of intense motion, with swirling fabric and determined expressions.
The colour palette is dominated by earthy browns, deep shadows, and greys, which serve to highlight the vibrant, saturated blues, whites, and reds of the French flag. The lighting is dramatic and moody, with a strong light source illuminating Liberty and the central group, while the edges of the frame fall into deeper shadow. This iconic oil painting is characterized by loose, expressive brushstrokes and a romanticized, emotive portrayal of conflict and triumph.