Germania (St. Paul's Church, Frankfurt am Main)

The Germania was a painting created by Philipp Veit and unveiled in 1848 within St. Paul's Church (Paulskirche) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. St. Paul's Church was then the meeting place of the Frankfurt Parliament, the first freely elected parliament for all of Germany.

Germania served as a national personification of Germany, embodying the hopes and aspirations for a unified and liberal nation-state during the tumultuous period of the 1848 revolutions. The painting depicted a female figure symbolizing Germany, typically portrayed with symbols of strength, unity, and freedom. These symbols often included a flag, a sword, and an oak wreath, all representing aspects of German identity and national aspirations.

While the original painting was lost in the bombing of Frankfurt during World War II, its image remains significant as a representation of the ideals of German unity and democratic reform that were at the forefront of the 1848 revolution. Replicas and reproductions of Germania continue to be used to illustrate this pivotal moment in German history and the broader themes of nationalism and revolution in 19th-century Europe. The imagery of Germania at St. Paul's Church reflects the spirit of national awakening and the desire for a united and politically progressive Germany.