Allegories of Wisdom and Truth Leading the Infant Arts to America

John James Barralet

after 1796 · Pen and ink, brush and wash · Drawings and Prints

This design for an emblematic print has a section inserted at center, demonstrating that Barralet reworked the image. Allegorical figures that symbolize Wisdom (armored with helmet and spear), and Truth (an angel with flames on his forehead), introduce putti carrying a brush and palette, architectural design, and sculpture, to America (a woman holding a cap of Liberty. The latter is attended by an eagle perched on an emblematic shield, a cornucopia, beehive, and goods piled near a sailing ship).

Artist

John James Barralet

Date

after 1796

Medium

Pen and ink, brush and wash

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Ferdinand H. Davis, 1961