1963.354
The Reconciliation between Britannia and her daughter America
Artists
W. Humphrey
;
Thomas Colley
(1781 - );
William Humphrey
Title
The Reconciliation between Britannia and her daughter America
Creation Date
1782
Century
18th century
Dimensions
9 7/16 in. x 13 3/4 in. (24 cm. x 35 cm.)
Object Type
print
Creation Place
Europe, United Kingdom
Medium and Support
etching on paper
Credit Line
Gift of Miss Susan Dwight Bliss
Copyright
Public Domain
Accession Number
1963.354
In this print America is depicted as a barely clothed native princess, indicative of the British tendency to consider those living in the colonies as savage and uncivilized. Great Britain is shown as an elegantly dressed goddess who attempts a passionate embrace with America. The figure of America is being pulled away by personifications of France and Spain, who are encouraged by a man representing Holland. A close trading ally of the American colonies, Holland is represented here via a barrel of Dutch Herring and Holland Gin. The involvement of France and Spain in the American colonies, both as trading partners and wartime allies, is represented through the symbolism of the fleur-de-lis and a reference to Spain as “Don.” This etching is a satirical depiction of complex Revolutionary War-era geopolitics in the Atlantic World and conveys attitudes of superiority held by many British towards their American enemies.