How does this artwork elucidate its Description?
Jennings's allegory shows a blond, white personification of Liberty, or according to the full title, personification of America wearing a white gown and with a liberty cap atop a pike or spear. She places books (the catalog of the Library Company, and two others, labeled "philosophy" and "agriculture") on top of a pedestal. Looking on is a group of two black men, a woman, and a child (freed slaves), whose comparatively diminutive size and clasped hands, bows, and other gestures evoke humility and gratitude.Surrounding the five figures, in the foreground, are various symbols of knowledge and learning: a bust (possibly of Henry Thornton), a scroll (labeled "geometry"), a paper sketch of columns (architecture); a globe (geography), a lyre and sheet music (music), and a paper with escutcheons on it (history and heraldry). In the background, freed slaves are dancing and celebrating around a liberty pole as one plays the banjo; behind them are ships (symbolizing commerce) on a body of water.
freed slaves personification of America escutcheons Henry Thornton black liberty pole white liberty cap