The Republic in Danger, from "Harper's Weekly"

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The Republic in Danger, from "Harper's Weekly"
The Republic in Danger, from "Harper's Weekly"
Artist/Maker (American, born Germany, 1840 - 1902)
Datepublished May 1, 1875
MediumWood engraving on newsprint
DimensionsComposition: 12 3/4 × 9 1/4 in. (32.4 × 23.5 cm) Sheet: 15 7/8 × 10 7/8 in. (40.3 × 27.6 cm)
Credit LineGift of Professor Emeritus Jay Williams, Class of 1954
Object number2019.13.281
Not on view
DescriptionLarge eagle sitting on a snake whose face reads "Slavery", and body reads "Rebellion". Eagle has one talon on a stone with writing on it. Captioned "SPRING CHICKEN (cackling to Centennial Eagle). 'Dear Mr. Eagle, I am seriously alarmed for your safety. Your Constitution is in danger of breaking down; and even if that / Blackbird does not destroy you, I am afraid that my Father on the opposite Cliff will peck you to pieces. You had better take refuge under the Shelter of my Wing.'" typeset beneath title in black ink.
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Additional Details

Exhibition History 2024-2025
Clinton, NY. The Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College. "Menagerie: Animals in Art from the Wellin Museum," September 7, 2024 –June 8, 2025 (no cat.). Work exhibited in second rotation only, Spring 2025 semester.
Provenance 2019: Hamilton College (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art), by gift of Jay G. Williams.
Signature Signed "Th Nast" in block at lower right composition.
Inscribed Title typeset beneath image in black ink. Page number "356," publisher, and publication date "May 1, 1875" typeset above image in black ink.
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© Duane Michals. Image courtesy of Light Work, Syracuse, NY. For educational purposes only.
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Medium: Pigmented inkjet print
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