question_answer

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

Attributes	Significance
Broken Chanins	Being freed.
Breastplate with eagle	Symbol of the German empire-strength.
Crown of oak leaves	Heroism.
Sword	Readiness to fight.
Olive branch around the sword	Willingness to make peace.
Black, red and gold tricolor	Flag of the liberal-nationalists in 1848, banned by the Dukes of the German states.
Rays of the rising Sun	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 Ger man 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 the chart. The replacement of the Kaiser's crown with the broken chain signifies that the German nation is now free from autocratic monarchical rule.