The Parricide, a Sketch of Modern Patriotism 1776

This engraving, made in England for the Westminster Magazine, satirizes what the anonymous artist calls ‘modern patriotism’. It’s a commentary on the social and political tensions that would soon lead to the American Revolution. A group of figures, including a Native American with torches, are shown attacking a woman who is being protected by a lion. The woman likely represents the allegorical figure of Britannia, and the lion, a symbol of England. The shield bearing the eagle, and the date 1776, suggest the revolutionaries are violently rejecting British rule. This image challenges the notion of patriotism as inherently virtuous, suggesting it can be twisted into a destructive force. To fully understand it, we need to examine the cultural context of 18th-century Britain, the growing discontent in the American colonies, and the way political cartoons were used to shape public opinion. We can trace these references through contemporary periodicals, pamphlets, and other visual culture of the period. The meaning of the artwork is contingent on this specific historical and institutional context.