Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences Samuel Jennings (c. 1755-1835, active 1789-1834) Oil on Canvas, 1792 60 1/4" x 74". Library Company of Philadelphia

Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences is significant as the first painting by an American-born artist about the issue of slavery. Jennings was traveling in London when he proposed an allegorical painting for the new Library Company of Philadelphia building. The Quaker directors guided his original proposal to a very specific depiction of Liberty with her Cap, broken chains underfoot, proper Insignia and reference to Painting, Architecture, Mechanics, Astronomy, Agriculture, Commerce, Philosophy & the Catalogue of Philadelphia Library.” The painting became famous for its abolitionist attitude its significance in African American history. Samuel Jennings was a native Philadelphian, attended the College of Philadelphia from 1770 to 1773, spent most of his life painting in England, arriving there in 1787 with a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin. His paintings, mostly allegorical or historical, were exhibited at the Royal Academy and at the British Institution, "Liberty Displaying the Arts and Sciences" similarities to "Liberty Enlightening the World":     - Classical Roman form draped with flowing gown     - Sandals     - Left foot crushes chains     - Diadem with 13 features (the original American colonies - stars for Powers, windows for Bartholdi)     - Upraised arm On the Web: Expore Pennsylvania History Time Magazine Monday, 29 January, 1990 Embroidered Version Worcester Art Musuem Painting on glass by Abijah Canfield, Connecticut, c. 1800, after Savage Image and Link to Library Company of Philadelphia Return to World's Greatest Statues Return to Statue of Liberty Homepage This page maintained by Gary Feuerstein 7 December 2008