[L'Amérique indépendante].

[New York] : [The Century Co.], [between 1881 and 1890?]

1 print : etching ; 15.3 x 13 cm

BEIN BrSides Box 2019 1146: On sheet 19.2 x 14.8 cm, mounted on board 20.2 x 15.8 cm. On recto, in pencil: L'Amerique independant, dédiée au Congrès des Etats Unis de l'Amérique. Apothése de Franklin; ink stamped: Wanted, 5261. On verso, ink stamped: Art department The Century Co. Union Square New York City. Forms part of the Benjamin Franklin Collection.

An allegorical figure of America is depicted as an Indigenous person in a feathered headdress, leaning agaist a plinth on which is a statue depicting liberty, who is dressed in classical garb, holding a Phrygian cap on a lance. A turtle is shown next to the plinth. In the center is Benjamin Franklin, also dressed in classical garb with a crown of laurel leaves on his head, with one hand on the shoulder of America and in the other holding a wand. A woman, dressed in classical garb, is holding a snake. In the right foreground, Britannia, who is holding links of chains, and Neptune, who is holding a trident, are on the ground being attacked with a club by a man representing France, who is wearing a helmet with a Gallic rooster on his helmet. In the left foreground, the mythological figures of Mercury, with his caduceus staff, and Ceres, with her plow, are seated in three-quarter and profile. Behind the statue of liberty, America, and Benjamin Franklin is the mythological figure of Minerva, with her lance and shield aiming a spear at Britannia and Neptune. In the background of all figures is a pastoral scene with trees and a palm tree.

March 31, 2022