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Elizabeth - Sphaera Civitatis (Globe of Citizens)

Unknown 19th Century

1850

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Allegory

Dominant colour

Elizabeth - Sphaera Civitatis (Globe of Citizens) is a 1850 ink by Unknown 19th Century, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown 19th Century
When & what style?: 1850 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a woman’s face at the top of a series of circles. The circles are packed with Latin words like *Fortitudo* and *Prudentia*, arranged like layers of an onion. Tiny stars and symbols sit between the rings, and the whole thing looks like it’s floating on a light background. The words describe qualities a ruler should have—strength, wisdom, loyalty—all wrapped around the idea of a "globe of citizenship." The woman’s face might stand for a queen or a country itself. Check out woodcut to see how this kind of printmaking works.