History
With the help of the chart in Box 3, identify the attributes of Veit's Germania and interpret the symbolic meaning of the painting. In an earlier allegorical rendering of 1836, Veit had portrayed the Kaiser's crown at the place where he has now located the broken chain. Explain the significance of this change.
Box 3
| Attribute | Significance |
|---|---|
| Broken chains | Being freed |
| Breastplate with eagle | Symbol of the German empire – strength |
| Crown of oak leaves | Heroism |
| Sword | Readiness to fight |
| Olive branch around the sword | Willingness to make peace |
| Black, red and gold tricolour | Flag of the liberal-nationalists in 1848, banned by the Dukes of the German states |
| Rays of the rising sun | Beginning of a new era |
Europe Nationalism
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Answer
Germania was the allegory of the German nation. In visual representations, Germania wears a crown of oak leaves, as the German oak stands for heroism. She has sword with olive branch showing readiness to fight as well as willingness to make peace. Broken chain symbolises freedom, breastplate with eagle symbolises strength of German empire and black, red and gold tricolour is flag of the liberal-nationalists in 1848 which was banned by the Dukes of the German states. Rays of the rising sun behind Germania depicts beginning of a new era. In an earlier allegorical rendering of 1836, Veit had portrayed the Kaiser's crown at the place where he has now located the broken chain. This change signifies that the German nation is now free from autocratic monarchical rule.
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