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CIVIL WAR PERIOD WATERCOLOR DEPICTING LADY LIBERTY DIRECTING HER SWORD AT THE CONFEDERACY IN THE FORM OF THE BRITISH LION, CA 1861-65 |
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| Dimensions (inches): |
frame - 11.5" x 13.75", work - 4.5" x 6.5" |
| Description: |
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This excellent, American, folk art watercolor drawing illustrates Lady Columbia, donning a many-pointed crown and a beautifully striped dress, with the date “1776” emblazoned on her breast within a heart-shaped medallion. In one hand is a terrific American national flag with the letters “US” fancifully emblazoned upon the stripes. In the other is a long blade, firmly directed at a lion that appears to be maintaining cautious guard before the Stars & Bars, which was the first national flag of the Confederate States of America.
It is of interest to note that a lion was chosen instead of a snake, or some other mascot more common in pro-Union, Civil War artwork. It appears that the artist is trying to draw a connection between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, through use of the 1776 date and the icon of Great Britain, possibly to emphasize the fact that all threats to freedom will be successfully defended by the Goddess of American Liberty.
And while the fact that the lion and its flag are so far to the left may have simply been due to lack of space, one has to wonder if the position was purposeful, with the rebel cause in serious threat of losing its foothold to join the pages of America’s past.
Provenance: Peter Tillou.
Mounting: The black-painted American frame is ca 1790-1810 and so significantly pre-dates the artwork. This is a pressure mount between U.V. protective acrylic and 100% cotton twill. |
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| Primary Color: |
red, white, blue, black |
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| Earliest Date: |
1861 |
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| Latest Date: |
1865 |
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| For Sale Status: |
Sold |
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| Price |
SOLD |
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| E-mail: |
info@jeffbridgman.com |
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Page Views:... 1154 |
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