Who were Marianne and Germania? What was the importance of the way in which they are portrayed?

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How had the female figures become an allegory of the nation during nineteenth century in Europe? Analyse.

In old times the best way to invite people’s attention was to present an idea through symbolic personifications. Form 1789 females appeared in paintings as symbol of liberty and revolution. Marianne is a national symbol of the French Republic, a personification of liberty and reason, and a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. She was the female figure invented by artist in the nineteenth century to present the French nation. Her profile stands out on the official government logo of the country, is engraved on French euro coins and appears on French postage stamps; it also was featured on the former French currency. Her characteristics were drawn from those of Liberty and the republic – the red cap, the tricolor, the cockade. Statues of Marianne were erected in public places to remind the public of the national symbol of unity and to persuade them to identity with it. Marianne images were marked on coins and stamps.

Similarly, Germania becomes the symbol of the German nation. This work was done by the artist Philip Veit. He depicted Germania as a female figure standing against a background where beams of sunlight shone through the tricolor fabric of the national flag. Germania was a crown of oak leaves, as the German oak stands for heroism. It was hung from the ceiling of St Paul's Church, where the Frankfurt parliament was convened, to symbolize the liberal revolution.