Columbia
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Columbia was a female figure who was common representation in art of the United States in the 19th century. The term derived of course from Christopher Columbus. It was introduced by black poet Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) in her 1776 poem. It was based heavily on classical Roman sources, which she used in translation, and as befits a model of Republicanism, Columbia is garbed in Roman dress. Many places were named after her, such as the District of Columbia, Columbia University, and the Colombia River.[1]
As an iconic image of America, Columbia was commonly used in World War I, but she was displaced by the Statue of Liberty in the 1920s, and is today seldom seen, save in heritage uses like the logo for Colombia films.
references
- ↑ British Columbia, part of Canada, is named after the river.