'Silas Deane ESQR. Commissioner from Congress in France' 1783

This engraving of Silas Deane, Commissioner from Congress in France, was made in London by an artist known only as B.B.E. in the late 1700s. Silas Deane was an American politician during a tumultuous era of revolution. The image, published by R. Wilkinson, presents Deane in profile, a visual language which evokes classical portraiture and hints at the sitter's status and virtue. Made in London, this print reflects the complex transatlantic dynamics of the period. Deane served as a diplomat in France, seeking support for the American cause, while London was the seat of the British empire he was rebelling against. The print subtly navigates these conflicting loyalties, presenting Deane as a dignified figure on the world stage. Historians often use prints like this to explore the networks of political communication and propaganda of the late 18th century. Close examination of such prints reveals the ways in which individuals and ideas circulated across borders, shaping the course of history.