Reunited 

Guillaume Seignac painted ‘Reunited’ in the late 19th or early 20th century, and it presents an allegory of France after the Franco-Prussian War. The central figure, draped in the tricolor, embodies France. She stands protectively with a mourning girl, Alsace, while crushing the German imperial eagle underfoot. This image creates meaning through powerful visual codes and historical associations. The work reflects France's political and emotional landscape at the time, specifically, France’s desire to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine from Germany. The artist uses allegory to express political sentiment and address the trauma of war. The composition of this painting, its symbols, and the idealized figures invite us to consider the role of art in shaping national identity and collective memory. Historical archives, political documents, and cultural studies all provide invaluable context. Art, then, is not just aesthetics but a reflection of socio-political contexts.