Border Guardians

While I have never had much use for “modern art” I am in love with the allegorical ladies of the classical art style. Having an eye for these ladies I see them frequently on medals and coins. Often they look so similar that I think they might be sisters or cousins. Illustrated below are two of the ladies hard at work defending their borders. In 1914 Helvetia on the left was already guarding her Swiss borders as seen here standing with her sword drawn next to a stone border marker. Two years later in 1916 her beautiful sister Columbia was guarding the United States’ border with Mexico. Her sword is also drawn and her shield at the ready while accompanied by her pet eagle next to a stone border marker facing an angry rattlesnake. I hope she’s ready for another tour of duty.