Have you ever noticed how conversations about the American Revolution often center on great battles, founding documents, and famous statesmen?
What if, instead, we explored that world through the eyes—and the hands—of everyday people who shaped it through art?
Zara Anishanslin, Associate Professor of History and Art History at the University of Delaware and Director of its Museum Studies and Public Engagement Program, joins us to uncover the hidden world of artists, artisans, and makers who painted, stitched, and crafted the Revolution into being. Drawing from her book The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution, Zara helps us see how creativity and craftsmanship tell a fuller—and more human—story of America’s founding.Zara’s Website | Book |Show Notes: https://www.benfranklinsworld.com/423
EPISODE OUTLINE
00:00:00 Introduction
00:41.79 Welcome & Episode Overview
00:02:59 Meet Our Guest
00:07:11 The Transatlantic Network of Revolutionary Artists
00:11:28 Why Revolutionary Artwork Didn't Survive
00:14:13 Prince Demah & His Mother Daphny
00:21:21 How Art Patronage Worked in the 18th Century
00:24:01 Finding Prince Demah a Teacher in London
00:27:40 Life as a Black Artist in London
00:41:22 Prince Demah's Life in Revolutionary Boston
00:49:24 Robert Edge Pine: The English Artist Who Supported America
00:59:24 How Revolutionary Art Differs from Later Commemorative Art
01:04:55 What Artists Reveal About the Revolution
01:07:29 Closing Thoughts & Resources
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODES🎧 Episode 084: How Historians Read Historical Sources🎧 Episode 106: The World of John Singleton Copley🎧 Episode 201: Art, Politics, and Everyday Life in Early America🎧 Episode 299: Colonial Virginia Portraits🎧 Episode 390: Objects of Revolution🎧 Episode 422: Plantation GoodsSUPPORT OUR WORK🎁 Make a Donation to Ben Franklin’s WorldREQUEST A TOPIC📨 Topic Request Form📫 liz@benfranklinsworld.comWHEN YOU'RE READY🗞️ BFW Gazette Newsletter👩💻 BFW Listener Community🌍 The History Explorers Club LISTEN 🎧🍎 Apple Podcasts 💚 Spotify 🎶 Amazon Music🛜 PandoraCONNECT🦋 Liz on Bluesky👩💻 Liz on LinkedIn🛜 Liz’s WebsiteSAY THANKS💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts💚 Leave a rating on Spotify*Book links are affiliate links. Every purchase supports the podcast.
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