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Direct scan of object
DEDIE AUX GENERAUX DE L'ARMEE DE LA GRANDE BRETAGNE PAR UN ZELATEUR DE LA LIBERTE
Direct scan of object

DEDIE AUX GENERAUX DE L'ARMEE DE LA GRANDE BRETAGNE PAR UN ZELATEUR DE LA LIBERTE

Date1778
Publisher C. Corbutt
Publisher Charles Corbett
OriginEngland (possibly)
MediumBlack and white line engraving and etching with period color
DimensionsOH: 9" X OW:11"; Plate H: 6 3/4" X W: 10 1/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1960-59
DescriptionThe lower margin reads: "DEDIE AUX GENERAUX DE L'ARMEE DE LA GRANDE BRETAGNE PAR UN ZELATEUR DE LA LIBERTE/ Dessine'd apres nature, a Boston par Corbut en 1778./ Grave a Philadelphie par Sans souci/ 1, L'Angre de la France caraterise par un boulier charge de 3 fleurs de Lys avec une tete de Meduse symbole de la terreur de ses armes, Il tient une epee flamboyante avec/ laquelle il chasse les Anglais 2 de Philadelphie, 3 Les Americains se rejouissent de voir renaitre l'Age d'Or en Amerique, designe par le Bonnet de la Liberte 4 avec leur enseigne/ attachee a un mat/ Anglais audacieux, L'Ange Exterminateur/ Sauve Philadelphie de votre affreuse engeance;/ Contre la trahison, la cruaute, l'horreur,/ Il vient du juste ciel exercer la vengeance:/ Vertueux Insurgens, voyex renaitre encor/ Avec la liberte, les jours de l'Age d'Or."










Label TextThis satire comments on recent the Franco-American alliance. The numbered figures are explained at the bottom and there is a short humorous poem. France appears in the guise of an avenging angel carrying a sword and a shield adorned with Medusa's head as she attacks fleeing British troops. One soldier raises his head in terror, while others fall to the ground in fear, their flag torn to shreds by the angel. To the right a group of colonial citizens celebrate the French alliance by dancing around a maypole that now has the liberty cap added at the top. The American flag has been placed within the circle. In the background Philadelphia appears deserted. Before the British occupied the city significant colonial activities had been removed and much of the populace had fled. On June 18, 1778, Americans reoccupied the city and the British were forced to flee. A white flag of surrender appears on the wall of the city. The maker suggest that the avenging angel will come to save Philadelphians from the cruel and treacherous British and restore the city to a golden age.

This copy published in Joan D. Dolmetsch, "Rebellion and Reconciliation: Satirical Prints on the Revolution at Williamsburg" (Williamsburg, VA: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 1976), plate 49, p. 110.