Marianne

Marianne is a national emblem of France and an allegory  of Liberty and Reason.

She represents the state and values of France;liberty, equality and fraternity.                 

She symbolises the Triumph of the Republic.

Her profile stands out on the official seal of the country, is engraved on french euro coins and appears on french postage stamps.

Exist two version about the origins of Marianne,depicted by artist Honoré Daumier,in 1848 or by the sculptor Francois Rude.

The origin of the name : well some believe that the name came from the contraction of Marie and Anne,two names used between the female poblation in that year. Others say that came from the name of the Jesuit Juan de Mariana, the 16th century monarchomach  and Others think it was the image of the wife of the politician Jean Reubell.

The official busts of Marianne initially had anonymous features, appearing as women of the people. From 1969, however, they began to take on the features of famous women, starting with the actress Brigitte Bardot. She was followed by Mireille Mathieu(1978)m Catherine Deneuve (1985), Inés de la Fressange (1989),Laetitia Casta (2000) and Evelyne Thomas (2003).