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Freedom was born during the revolution era 1601-1900 CE. The struggle for independence spawned new concepts about freedom and equality, and the rules governing those entitled to liberty were questioned in politics, art, and music. In essence, freedom is referred to the power to act without constraints. The notion of freedom was particularly crucial during the 1601-1900 CE since it was the cornerstone of the revolution era.
The first example of the freedom concept is the US National Anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, in music. Since 1931, the Star-Spangled Banner has served as the United States’ official national anthem, inspired by the country’s victories against the British (Classic Music). Francis Scott Key, the American lawyer, wrote the lyrics of the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814; he penned these after observing British ships bombarding Fort McHenry during the American-British conflict of 1812-1815 (Classical Music). The giant flag, thirty by forty-two feet of stars and stripes, could be seen from as far away as eight miles away, where Francis Scott Key was eagerly looking for signs of the battle’s result from an anchored ship (Flannery 11). The sight of his country’s flag flying high above the battlefield inspired Key to pen a poem honoring the triumph. Hence, the anthem both represents and admires the freedom of the United States.
The second illustration of the freedom concept during the revolution era is the artwork called the Captivate Slave (1827). This striking artifact by John Simson of an oppressed man was initially shown in London in 1827; it served as a timely revolutionary plea in the years before the British Emancipation Act of 1833 (Art Institute Chicago). The picture is 127 101,5 cm (50 40 in) in size; the European artist used oil on canvas as the material for his artistic work (Artprinta). Additionally, the painting is part of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world’s foremost art institutions with an art collection that encompasses centuries. The person illustrated in the picture was posed with his head and eyes raised toward the sky, echoing the traditional poses for Christian saints and innocent victims (Art Institute Chicago). The model in this picture is assumed to be Ira Aldridge, the free-born son of a New York lay preacher; he has a longing for freedom in his eyes (Art Institute Chicago). The artist displayed this art piece to make a bold statement that the slave trade was a contentious moral and political problem.
Consequently, the artifacts from music and art were illustrated to demonstrate the importance of the freedom concept during the revolution era. The Star-Spangled Banner, the United States’ national anthem, was inspired by the country’s successes over the British and was written to commemorate the victory. The anthem both reflects and admires American freedom. The second example is John Simson’s artwork, Captivate Slave (1827), which makes a forceful statement that the slave trade was a problematic moral and political issue. Essentially, the model in the painting yearns for freedom in his gaze.
Works Cited
Classical Music. “What are the Lyrics to the USA National Anthem, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’?” BBC Music Magazine, Web.
Flannery, Mary C. “Does that Star Spangled Banner Yet Wave? The Origins and Meaning of a National Anthem.” TLS. Times Literary Supplement, no. 6135, 2020, p. 11. Gale Academic OneFile, Web.
Art Institute Chicago. “The Captive Slave (Ira Aldridge).” The Art Institute of Chicago, Web.
Artprinta. “John Philip Simpson, 1827 – The Captive Slave – Fine Art Print.” Artprinta, Web.
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