Sign In

This hand-colored copperplate engraving, titled America Guided By Wisdom: An Allegorical Representation of the United States, Denoting Their Independence and Prosperity, was issued in Philadelphia in 1820.

Rooted in Neoclassical aesthetics, the work celebrates the post-War of 1812 sense of triumph and national optimism. It serves as an allegory where personifications of wisdom, commerce, agriculture, and domestic industry represent the ideals and aspirations of the young republic. Central to the composition is America, portrayed as a woman in Grecian dress and a feathered helmet, symbolizing strength and classical virtues. She holds a shield bearing the arms of the United States, inscribed with the motto "Union and Independence." She is guided by Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts, who reinforces the ideals of intellectual and martial progress.

The engraving features Roman deities such as Minerva, Mercury, and Ceres to symbolize wisdom, commerce, and agriculture. Mercury rests on bales of American goods, emphasizing the importance of trade and navigation, while Ceres holds agricultural implements, representing prosperity through farming. Symbols of abundance and industriousness, such as a cornucopia and a beehive, appear at the feet of America, reinforcing the nation's economic potential. A woman spinning at the door of a cottage highlights the virtues of self-reliance and domestic manufacturing, which were essential for economic independence from British imports.

Architectural elements and historical references further enrich the allegory. To the right, a triumphal arch celebrates the military victories of the War of 1812, and an equestrian statue of George Washington symbolizes leadership and patriotism. The arch is set against a structure with Corinthian columns, a nod to cultural advancement and the Enlightenment ideals underpinning the new republic. These elements evoke the romanticized vision of the United States as the heir to the Roman Republic, blending classical virtues with modern progress.

The engraving draws from a watercolor by John James Barralet, exhibited in 1813 at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and reflects the Jeffersonian Republican vision of the nation. It projects the confidence and pride of the postwar "Era of Good Feelings," during which Americans saw themselves as builders of a prosperous and virtuous nation. The detailed textual description at the bottom of the print explains the allegorical symbols, ensuring viewers understood its intended message of unity and prosperity.

Produced by B. Tanner and published on March 27, 1820, by Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co., the engraving is one of several variants, with some versions printed by W. B. Acock in Philadelphia.

The print is a quintessential example of early 19th-century American allegorical art, combining classical motifs and iconography to articulate the cultural aspirations of the United States.