Study For Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences, or The Genius of America Encouraging the Emancipation of the Blacks
ca. 1791–92
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
10 3/4 × 12 1/2 in. (27.3 × 31.8 cm)
Classification
Painting, oil study
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Karen Buchwald Wright Gift, 2016
Accession Number
2016.50
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the late 18th century, America grappled with the ideals of liberty born from the Revolution, Samuel Jennings created this oil study on canvas around 1791–92. Titled *Study for Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences, The Genius of America Encour the Emancipation of the*, the small-scale work (10 3/4 × 12 1/2 in.) allegorically envisions a central female figure—likely Liberty or the Genius of Americasurrounded by symbols of enlightenment. Lyres evoke music, palettes represent painting, and figures of men and women underscore themes of human potential, all tied to the emancipation of the ens...