Glorious Remembrance of September 16th n.d.

This broadside, made by Manuel Manilla, likely in the late 19th century, commemorates the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence on September 16th. The central image depicts a figure raising a banner before a church, a powerful symbol of both faith and rebellion. The act of raising a flag, a gesture laden with defiance and hope, has its echoes across time. We might recall similar imagery in Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People," where the flag symbolizes revolutionary fervor. But here, the banner is linked to a place of worship, suggesting a divine sanction for the uprising. This blend of sacred and secular reflects a deep-seated longing for liberation, a collective memory of oppression passed down through generations. The image, printed on a humble broadside, evokes the emotional intensity of a people rising against injustice, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Such symbols, though rooted in specific historical moments, are not bound by them. They reappear, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts.