Bust of Thaddeus Kosciusko 1853

This is a plaster bust of Thaddeus Kosciusko, made by Pierre Joseph Chardigny, who was active in France in the first half of the 19th century. Kosciusko was a Polish military leader who fought for both Polish and American independence. The image creates meaning through its Neoclassical style, which was popular at the time for depicting historical figures. France was a center for the Neoclassical style. Kosciusko's likeness would have evoked ideas of liberty and republicanism, which were important values during the French Revolution and after. The bust was likely made in response to Kosciusko's death in 1817, as a memorial to his life and legacy. To understand the social and political context, you might look at biographies of Kosciusko, histories of Poland and the United States, or studies of Neoclassical art and its relationship to politics. We can better understand the meaning of the image and its role in shaping public opinion by studying the relevant social and institutional contexts.