question_answer 14)

With the help of the chart in Box 3, identify the attributes of Veit's Germania and interpret the symbolic meaning of the painting.                                                                      Meanings of Symbols

Attribute	Significance
Broken chains Breastplate with eagle Crown of oak leaves Sword Olive branch around the sword Black, red and gold tricolour     Rays of the rising Sun	Being freed Symbol of the German empire-strength Heroism Readiness to fight Willingness to make peace   Flag of the liberal-nationalists in 1848, banned by the Dukes of the German states   Beginning of a new era

  In an earlier allegorical rendering of 1836, Veit had portrayed the Kaiser's crown at the place where he has now located the broken chain. Explain the significance of this change.    

Answer:

The symbolic meaning of the painting is that the German nation has emerged. The female figure of Germania is an allegory of the German nation. All the attributes of the German nation can be seen in the painting as given in Box 3.    The replacement of the Kaiser's crown with the broken chain signifies that the German nation is now free from autocratic monarchical rule.