L'independance de l'Amérique [engraving]

L'independance de l'Amérique [engraving]

[Paris] 1786

2 prints on 1 sheet ; bottom print 13 x 19 cm. ; on single sheet 40 x 30 cm.

P&E L2004F84.2

Grateful citizens stream out of a walled city to meet a ship in the harbor which has a liberty cap as part of the figurehead. The following explaination is printed below the title: "D'un côté la ville de Boston et les peuples de l'Amérique rassemblés sur le rivage, tendant les mains à la frégate du roi qui leur porte le traité qui assure leur indépendance." In the lower right corner it reads: "Roussillon no. 7."
This allegorical etching shows the citizens of Boston in America emerging from a walled city to welcome a French ship, "la Fregate du Roi" which as a liberty cap as part of its figurehead. A lighter craft along side brings bundles, representing commerce between France and the new nation.
This etching appears on the same sheet with another etching, "La Servitude Abolie", catalogued as P&E L2004F84.1. Both are part of a series of nine prints in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, that were commissioned as part of the design of obelisk celebrating the reign of Louis XVI, that was built in Port Vendres, France. This etching appears along with three others as bas-relief panels at the base of the monument.
Digitized image available, see URL

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