Art Collections Online
The Triumph of Democracy
ROTHENSTEIN, William (1872 - 1945)
The Triumph of Democracy - William Rothenstein
Date: 1917
Media: lithograph on paper
Acquired: 1919; Presented by Ministry of Information
Accession Number: NMW A 13162
Collection: The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals
Democracy, in the form of a female figures, has been unchained, whilst the cloaked, bowed German solder symbolising Tyranny is handcuffed, and the hope for the Future, in the form of a baby is presented by another to the arms of Democracy.
Rothenstein worked as a painter, lithographer, draughtsman and writer. Born in Bradford he went on to study at the Slade School, London and the Académie Julian, Paris. From 1891 Rothenstein was drawing the interest of artists such as Degas and Pissaro. He was appointed official war artist to the British Army in France, 1917-1918, and to the Canadian army of occupation, 1919. In 1931 he was knighted.