A Closer Look - Viva La Vida

I decided to take a closer look at one album in particular. The one I chose was Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.

The album is the fourth studio album by English band Coldplay. Translated, the title means "Live the Life" or "Long live life". Whilst it was interesting researching the album, I was more interested in the album artwork. The main element is the 1830 canvas painting by Eugene Delecroix entitled Liberty Leading the People. It was painted as a backdrop to the French Revolution. It depicts a woman, a personification of liberty, leading revolutionists over the bodies of the fallen. In one hand she brandishes the Tricolore Flag of revolutionary France, in the other hand she holds a loaded musket.

The lead singer of the band, Chris Martin, was inspired by the life and works of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and this is where he got the name for the album. Kahlo's painting of the same name inspired him greatly as he was struck by the appeal to life gouged in the watermelon. Kahlo was involved in revolutionary politics in the Americas and it was this theme that inspired the band to grace the cover of this album with Delecroix. However, the fact that the album is called Viva La Vida is an homage to Kahto. Even Delecroix's work on the album cover is splashed with the phrase in white paint. The decision to use the painting on the cover reflects the political message behind the album. A need for change and revolution in the modern day world is suggested throughout the record and this is reflected in the artwork.

Seeing this, it has made me think about our own album artwork. We will need to capture the message of the music in our own piece. It would be good to keep looking at other albums, and the albums of The Foo Fighters themselves to get the right feel of the music.