Apotheosis of Franklin
ca. 1780
Classification
printed, dyed & painted textiles
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor Garnier Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-40-7-c
About this artwork
Off-white cotton textile copperplate printed in red. The design, known as "American Independence" or "Apotheosis of Franklin" shows George Washington standing in a chariot drawn by leopards, and behind him a female figure holding a shield on which "American Independence 1776" is inscribed. Benjamin Franklin is shown with a female figure carrying a liberty cap on a staff; above them on a scroll: "Where Liberty Dwells There is my Country."
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...