The Apotheosis of Washington and Franklin (Furnishing Fabric) c. 1785

This furnishing fabric, created by Valentine Green, reflects the fervor and optimism of the nascent United States. In it, we see George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, figures central to the American Revolution. The imagery merges classical allegory with symbols of the new nation. The scene presents Washington pulling a chariot bearing America. The chariot is being pulled by leopards, and next to the chariot is a enslaved indigenous person, all of which underscore the complex relationship between liberty and the subjugation of others. The presence of Native Americans as enslaved people casts a shadow on the triumphant narrative of American independence. The fabric invites us to consider whose freedom is being celebrated and at what cost. As you reflect on this piece, consider the narratives we weave into the fabric of our own lives. How do we reconcile the ideals we espouse with the realities we inhabit?