The Reasoned Moral Chart of Symbols of the Republic, Founders of Liberty, and Martyrs of Liberty
Medium
Hand-colored etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 11 7/16 in. × 13 in. (29.1 × 33 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of William H. Huntington, 1883
Accession Number
83.2.856
Tags
Art Historical Context
Created around 1794 during the height of the French, this hand-colored etching serves as a visual compendium of republican ideals. Titled *The Reasoned Moral Chart of Symbols of the Republic, Founders of Liberty, Martyrs of Liberty*, gathers emblems, portraits, and scenes celebrating the new order—likely featuring eagles, crosses, soldiers, and battle motifs drawn from the tags. Such prints helped spread revolutionary messages across Europe at a time when literacy was limited but visual literacy was strong. The medium of hand-colored etching was particularly effective for this purpose. Etchin...