Curtain

1790-1800

Place madeEngland, Europe

Cotton, linen

Overall: 87 x 29 3/4 x 1 in. ( 221 x 75.6 x 2.5 cm )

Purchased from Elie Nadelman

1937.514

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

Markingsprinted: on banner held by Franklin: WHERE LIBERTY / DWELLS THERE IS / MY COUNTRY" printed: on temple frieze: "TEMPLE OF FAME" printed: on shield held by allegorical figure seated next to Washington: "AMERICAN / INDEPEND- / -ANCE. / 1776"

ProvenanceThe Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman

ClassificationsTEXTILES

DescriptionCotton copperplate-printed curtain with the apotheosis of Benjamin Franklin depicted in red on white ground; additional figures include a personification of liberty standing next to Franklin and a female warrior holding a shield with thirteen stars floating in the air on his opposite side, George Washington standing upright in a chariot drawn by a pair of leopards and led by two Native Americans blowing trumpets and waving banners, and a pair of cupids holding between them an oval map showing the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern half of North America; linen lining.

Object NameCurtain