The Reasoned Moral Chart of Symbols of the Republic, Founders of Liberty, and Martyrs of Liberty 1789 - 1799

This is a hand-colored print titled "The Reasoned Moral Chart of Symbols of the Republic, Founders of Liberty, and Martyrs of Liberty," made by Johann Andreas Endterische Handlung. The print arranges a series of circular portraits and allegorical figures into a grid-like structure, immediately evoking the Enlightenment's emphasis on order and categorization. The composition is divided into three distinct zones, each dedicated to different aspects of liberty. At the top, allegorical symbols represent virtues; below, we find portraits of the "Founders of Liberty," and lastly, the "Martyrs of Liberty." Note how each figure is neatly contained within its circular frame, creating a sense of containment and control. The limited color palette, primarily blues, reds, and browns, adds to the print's systematized feel, and the use of similar colors across the categories suggests an underlying unity of purpose. Endterische Handlung’s print is more than just a collection of images. The artist aimed to create a visual system that reflected the Enlightenment’s aspirations for a rational and morally ordered society.