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Peace of Ghent 1814 and Triumph of America 

Alexis Chataigner  and Julia Plantou (1815)

Mercury

 Roman god of transportation and messenger of the gods, Mercury is seen delivering the message given by Minerva.

Hercules

A Roman god famous for his strength, known as the only mortal to become a god after his death. A symbol of strength associated with America during war.

Minerva

The Roman goddess of wisdom and strategy in warfare. A symbolic representation of the American spirit in times of battle.

Foreground

The elements seen in the foreground: worriers, chariots, and angels appear to be urging Britannia out of the image.

Britannia

The symbolic representation of unity, liberty, and strength of Great Britain. She is seen grieving in the image, a sign of loss and defeat. 

Background

The people are seen cheering and there are Roman, Greek, and Western buildings and monuments related to politics. 

About The Image

Created in 1815 by Alexis Chataigner and Julia Plantou the image stood as an example of American identity after their victory over the British in the war of 1812. The Treaty of Ghent(1814) was a major achievement and a huge boost in moral for the Americans. For them the image is a representation of the strength of their country and pride. However, for the British it was a threatening display of the barbaric spirit of their enemy.  

pat.jpg

What's changed?

War has always been present in our countries history however, the spirit of strength and pride when fighting for it had diminished greatly as the years went on. Our country went from one known for strength with the will power to do almost anything to becoming a symbol of laziness and joke politics. Mostly with recent years where our political confusion and the lack of participation among our own people has caused our image to represent not a fighter but a couch potato. It has become increasingly apparent that it is of great necessity that our people work to improve our image, maybe not to what it was seen as in 1815, but instead to represent our defining characteristic: diversity.     

References

"Alexis Chataignier (Biograph.cal details) The British Museum", 2017,                                                                  http://www.britishmuseum:org/research/search_the_collection_database/term_details.aspx?                  biold=129463

"Biography of Julia (Mme.Anthony) PLANTOU(XIX)".artprice,                                                                               http://www.artprice.com/artist/225792/julia-(mme-anthony)-Plantou/biography

Chataigner, Alexis, Engraver, and Julia Plantou. Peace of Ghentand triumph of America / Mme. Plantou,            Citizen of the United States pinxit ; Chataigner, sculpsit. [Philadelphia: P. Price, Jr] Photograph.                  Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2003670665/>.

History.com Editors. HISTORY. A&E Television Networks, 2018, http://www.history.com/topics/war-of-             1812/treaty-of-ghent.

Shawn20009. "Post #8-Visual metaphor and the American Patriot(Argumentative)",                                        2011, https://shawn20009.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/post-8-visual-metaphor-and-the-american-            patriotargumentative/

Web Page Made By: Alexis L. Borresen

Oct. 7, 2018

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