Renault, John-Francis, artist, and Peter Verger, engraver:

$1,750 · Offered by William Reese Company · No longer available

TRIUMPH OF LIBERTY. DEDICATED TO ITS DEFENDERS IN AMERICA [caption title]. An attractive and elaborate allegorical engraving celebrating American independence, drawn by French-American artist John-Francis Renault and engraved by Peter Verger, both known almost exclusively for the present print. The print, first published in 1796 and then again with the addition of extensive descriptive text in 1798, uses Classical iconography to illustrate America's victory, 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 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 a

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