Why did the artists in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries personify nations as female figures?
Answers
In the 18th and 19th centuries due to the growth of nationalistic feelings in Europe especially in Germany, France, and Britain, artists of that period started to create an imaginary female figure in which the attributes of mother nation were being shown.
Answer:
In the 18th and 19th century many artists began personifying a nation as a female allegorical
figure.
Explanation:
In the 18th and 19th centuries due to the growth
of nationalistic feelings in Europe especially in Germany, France, and Britain, artists of that period started to create an imaginary female figure in which the attributes of mother nation were being shown.
These figures were shown wearing the national
dress with the colours of the national flag and
some symbolism was attached to it. For example,
the female figure of Germany was called Germania and she is shown as wearing a dress of yellow, black and red the colours of German national flag.
She also had a sword in her hand and a crown
made up of olive leaves around her head.
The colours of her dress are the colour of the
national flag, the sword shows her readiness to fight and the olive symbolises her peace-loving nature. Other similar examples are the figures of Britannica the female figure representing Britain, and Lady Liberty of France.