Verger

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Renault, John Francis; and Peter VergerBiblio.com

The Triumph of Liberty

1796réf. 373692New York 1796. Engraved print. 14-1/2x20-1/2 inches plate size. Heavily toned creased through the image short edge tears. Engraved print. 14-1/2x20-1/2 inches plate size. A noted allegorical print celebrating the American Revolution. The print first published in 1796 and then again with the addition of extensive descriptive text in 1798 used classical iconography to illustrate America's victory in the American Revolution with the gods led by Minerva with the American eagle on her aegis paying honor to American heroes and laying waste to the concepts and persons of monarchy. As a French veteran of the American Revolution and transatlantic witness to the French Revolution it is perhaps unsurprising that the artist Renault would choose such subject matter for this dramatic piece. Reilly describes the print and its features in detail: "An allegory of liberty flourishing and monarchy and tyranny in decline. In a wooded grove Minerva with a shield bearing the arms of the United States and a flag emblazoned with stars pours libations on an altar fire. Beside her are three female figures. The first Plenty holds a torch to a pile of titles of nobility crowns scepters and other attributes of monarchy. Justice holds a sword and scales and Peace an olive branch. Behind them is a small pyramid on a pedestal inscribed with the names: Hancock Warren Sullivan Putnam Scamel Barber Green Laurens Wooster Mercer and Poor. Two urns on the monument are labeled "B. Franklin" and "Montgomery." To the right is a column surmounted by a seated nude Liberty figure holding a wreath. Below it stands a cherub with a scroll with the words 'Allons enfans de la Patrie.' an open book labeled 'The Rights of Man' a staff and liberty cap and a flag. Behind is a mountainous landscape and town. In the lower right foreground stands another group including a king about to stab himself several other monarchs cringing and a standing woman. In the lower left stand an aged classical priest and a writhing mutilated hydra appear. "Stauffer describes an impression the 1798 edition with re-engraved title and imprint accompanied by the following text: 'By a Column raised to Liberty is a Monument sacred to the memory of the American Heroes fallen in defence of their Country. While Liberty is Crowning them America uder sic the figure of Minerva sacrifices to their Manes and a Priest of that Deity sings their glorious actions. The Hydra of Despotism mortally wounded by those great men expires in frightful convulsions. Peace and Justice hand in hand join with America in her homage to Liberty. Plenty reclining on her emblematical Horn reposes on American ground. The Genius of Liberty points out the declaration of Independence and a Book of the American Constitution. From the dreadful Sight a group of Kings turn away with horror and dismay.'" Not much is known about Renault or Verger beyond their production of this print. unknown