''We Owe Allegiance to No Crown'' is a large (60 by 50 inches) 1814 oil on canvas painting by

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

n artist John Archibald Woodside. This painting was displayed in the

National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery may refer to: *National Portrait Gallery (Australia), in Canberra *National Portrait Gallery (Sweden), in Mariefred *National Portrait Gallery (United States), in Washington, D.C. *National Portrait Gallery, London, with s ...

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, for the exhibition, "1812: A Nation Emerges", from June 2012-January 2013.

Background

Woodside was born in Philadelphia, where his father worked as an engrossing clerk. It is said that Woodside received his training in painting from

Matthew Pratt Matthew Pratt (September 23, 1734 – January 9, 1805) was an American "Colonial Era" artist famous for his portraits of American men and women. He was born in Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania to goldsmith Henry Pratt, (1708–1748) and R ...

or one of his business partners in the sign-painting business, William Clarke, Jeremiah Paul, Jr., or George Rutter. In 1805, Woodside opened his own studio for forty-seven years. He became famous not only for sign-painting around Philadelphia, but also for still life, fruit, and animals. From 1817 to 1836, Woodside exhibited paintings at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in whose catalogues he was described as a "Painter fAnimals and Still Life." Woodside was more well known for his allegorical paintings and firemen hat panels. In 1816, Woodside was commissioned to create the city of Philadelphia's coat of arms. This painting depicts allegorical figures of Justice and Plenty. His firemen hat panels, commissioned for parades in 1840s, similarly contained allegorical figures of Justice and Plenty but in a variety of positions and settings.

Interpretation

Woodside, inspired by the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...

, intended to provide an allegorical message in response to the defeat of Britain. It depicts a sailor holding a flag being crowned with a laurel wreath by

Liberty Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom. In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...

, with the words “We Owe Allegiance to No Crown” below. The ship, towards the back of the painting, depicts the small but effective

American Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage of ...

that greatly contributed to the American defeat of Britain.

Modern usage

This painting has appeared on the cover of books pertaining to the War of 1812, including ''Free Trade and Sailors' Rights of the War of 1812'' and ''1812: War and Passions of Patriotism''. These two books were written in 2012 and 2013, two hundred years after the War of 1812.

References

{{reflist 1814 paintings Paintings about the War of 1812 Flags in art Ships in art Liberty symbols category:19th-century allegorical paintings category:Allegorical paintings by American artists