Paintings, Prints & Drawings — 1776-01-26
The Female Combatants Or Who Shall
The target of this satirical print is the American War of Independence of 1776. It engages in the topical debate between America and England by personifying the two countries as two allegorical figures fighting.
The woman on the left dressed in high European fashion with lace ruffed sleeves and wearing a tall wig represents Britain. Her opponent, dressed in a feathered skirt and headdress (but otherwise naked, except for her tattoos), is portrayed as a native American.
England declares to America, 'I'll force you to Obedience you Rebellious Slut' and America replies 'Liberty, Liberty for ever Mother while I exist'.
Each combatant has her shield in a bottom corner: England's has the motto 'For Obedience', shows a compass and is mounted by a turret; America's has 'For Liberty', shows a hand on which perches a cock, representing France, and is surmounted by a French cap of liberty.
- Category:
- Paintings, Prints & Drawings
- Object ID:
- A8171
- Object name:
- The Female Combatants Or Who Shall
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1776-01-26
- Material:
paper, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- H 250 mm, L 196 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.