About this image...

Image Title: America. To Those, Who Wish To Sheathe The Desolating Sword Of War. And, To Restore The Blessings Of Peace And Amity, To A Divided People, 1781

Creator: Strutt, Joseph, engraver

Date: 1781

Summary: Print shows an allegory of the restoration of peace and prosperity to America following the Revolution. The print is based on a 1778 painting by British artist Robert Edge Pine, which was destroyed by fire in 1803. It was one of several antimonarchial works painted by Pine during the Revolution. A 1784 catalog of a Philadelphia exhibition of Pine's painting describes it as follows: "A picture painted in the year 1778, representing the following Allegory: America, after having suffered the several evils of war, bewailed its unhappy cause, and lamented over the victims of its fury--her ruined towns--destroy'd commerce, &c. &c. On the appearance of Peace, is represented an extacy of gratitude to the Almighty--Heroic Virtue presents Liberty attended by Concord--Industry, followed by Plenty and her Train, form a group expressive of Population; and Ships denote Commerce." America, on the left, is a bejeweled Indian Queen robed in furs. Above her, the figure of Peace, holding an olive branch, appears from the clouds. Heroic Virtue (center) is represented by Hercules; Concord holds bundled fasces, Industry a beehive, and Plenty a cornucopia.

Notes: In 1784 a proof of the print was sent to George Washington by George William Fairfax, stating that it was "expressive of the great Oppressions and Calamities of America, also the glorious Revolution with which it pleased Heaven to terminate the infernal War," and that the figure of Heroic Virtue was to represent General Washington.|Published in: The American Revolution in drawings and prints; a checklist of 1765-1790 graphics in the / Compiled by Donald H. Cresswell, with a foreword by Sinclair H. Hitchings. Washington : [For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off.], 1975, no. 761.

Related Names: Pine, Robert Edge, 1730?-1788

Subjects: United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

Original Media: Engraving

Collections: Cartoon Prints, American » more info...
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